The City Council last night delayed consideration of regulation of sexually oriented businesses in the city.

Tuesday, November 09, 1999

The City Council last night delayed consideration of regulation of sexually oriented businesses in the city.

City Manager Paul Sparks told the council that the ordinances are complex and the council would have to discuss the issues in detail.

&uot;We’ll have a couple of workshops because this is kind of a tricky ordinance,&uot; Sparks said. &uot;The definition of pornography as it is currently written is pretty strict. It might be difficult to enforce.&uot;

Sparks said under the current definition, even public television would be in violation.

A regular meeting would not provide the time needed for the council to discuss the regulations, because of &uot;their complexity and the length of debate that might occur.&uot;

Sparks suggested a workshop be held in late November or December.

Meanwhile, the moratorium on new sexually oriented businesses will be extended until February 2000. The original one-year moratorium was approved on June 3, 1998, temporarily banning the startup of sexually oriented businesses while the city government explores a new ordinance limiting locations of these businesses.

Possible ordinance recommendations released in March of this year include:

* Sexually oriented businesses cannot locate less than 1,000 feet from other sexually oriented businesses, in order not to multiply their negative effects.

* There shall not be more than one sexually oriented businesses within one block.

* Sexually oriented businesses shall not locate less than 500 feet from a residential district, school, church, public theater, park, trail, shopping center, or airport.

* The city shall restrict sexually oriented businesses in areas less than 1,500 feet from interstates.

* Sexually oriented businesses can only identify with a name plate sign that does not advertise activities within, or use terms in its title – adult, family, sex, nude, or other words and phrases that could deter the customer base of nearby businesses. Graphics are prohibited.

* Sexually oriented businesses are restricted to the B2 and I2 zoning districts.

* Any business selling, distributing or displaying sexually oriented business products and services requires city licenses.

* Any existing sexually oriented businesses are nonconforming; but, after obtaining licenses, these businesses can continue to operate in zones inappropriate for sexually oriented businesses.

* A sexually oriented business is conforming when it is located in qualifying areas, has a granted conditional use permit and has a license.