Handling of adult entertainment angers readers
By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/21/07
Nearly 100 irate residents contacted The Record Monday to say the don't like the St. Augustine City Commission's proposed ordinance that would allow adult entertainment to locate throughout the city.
The Record published a map Monday showing where adult entertainment businesses would be permitted under an ordinance the City Commission is considering. The newspaper sought public comments on the change that would permit adult entertainment businesses in many commercial zones on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, West King Street and State Road 312.
Previously, the city did not have restrictions on adult entertainment businesses so they could have opened in any commercial zone in St. Augustine. The commission is trying to be proactive by creating an ordinance to limit where adult entertainment businesses can be.
Residents, who began calling The Record at 4:57 a.m. Monday and continued into the evening, were especially against the commissioners changing their original proposal that restricted adult entertainment to four parcels of land off Ponce de Leon Boulevard to including areas throughout the city.
The feedback included several cases of NIMBY -- Not In My Backyard -- but people were also incensed that the commission was not considering what they said was the entire city's best interest. They felt the commissioners had folded to Ponce de Leon Boulevard residents who fought having adult entertainment contained to their area, and that the board did not realize opening it to several areas in the city would quadruple the amount of affected residents.
"They make something as bizarre as you could possibly think of. No city commissioner in their right mind would vote for this," said Anastasia Island resident Sandy Hendricks, who lives near an affected area. "If you don't show up at (a City Commission) meeting it's like, 'Ha, ha, ha, we can do what we want.' They shouldn't make decisions that are hurting everyone in the city."
Despite the numerous comments, Commissioner Errol Jones said he remains in favor of sprinkling the adult entertainment zones throughout the city. The majority of people speaking against the current proposed ordinance are affected residents, and Jones said that highlights why he is backing the measure.
"These people are hoping that if we contain it that means it won't be next to them," Jones said.
"(This ordinance is) taking a chance. It's the lottery. But every resident has a fair chance of losing or winning. And each resident deserves equal treatment. That's what is fair. And I will stick by that."
Mayor Joe Boles said law enforcement prefers to have adult entertainment clustered because it's easier to control. But, he said, it's also understandable that concentrating it can feed crime and other problems.
"It's anyone's guess as to what is better," Boles said. "But if we don't pass an ordinance then the city is wide open for it to come in anywhere it wants."
Commissioner Don Crichlow, who was the lone dissenting vote for the proposed measure, disagrees. The city strategically chose the original four parcels of land because it impacted the city the least, and other areas impacted residents to a greater degree, Crichlow said. He said stretching out the zones could invite adult entertainment to the city.
"When we had it in one spot there were four parcels and say only two or maybe three owners would be willing to sell to adult entertainment," he said. "Now we have literally hundreds of properties and (adult entertainment) can shop for the right place and the right price to put it. It offers more opportunities to them," Crichlow said.
The proposed measure also has zones abutting residences in downtown, and it would be near Sally Walton's dance studio off Ponce de Leon Boulevard, which has classes for ages from 3 to 84 years old.
"We have classes from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m," she said. "And I'm right next to all these historic homes. I'm very against (adult entertainment) coming to this area."
Several concerned people who called The Record live in developments off State Road 312 on Anastasia Island. Dr. Barry Dobie has his physician's office in an office park in that area and he doesn't understand the rationale in expanding the zones. He said there are attorney offices, luxury condominiums, student housing and a bank adjacent to him.
"I truly sympathize with the individuals who originally would have had the businesses next to them," he said. "But proposing it to other areas puts it in more backyards. I don't understand that."
The commissioners all agreed that they want to hear from the concerned residents at their next meeting on Monday, where the ordinance is up for final approval.
"We've gotta keep moving on this. We'll find something that works," Boles said. "We've got to protect our city."
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Readers' comments on adult zoning
Publication Date: 08/21/07
The following were compiled from calls and e-mails The Record received Monday. Of nearly 100 comments, only one person said that adult entertainment zones spread throughout the city is a good idea.
Other residents included:
Donna Ribar of County Road 214, who said, "They have cleaned up West King Street tremendously and I think it's totally unfair to have adult entertainment be allowed to come to that area. Those businesses will want to come to lower-income areas."
"Also, why (doesn't the city) look at how many sex predators and sex offenders live in those areas where adult entertainment could go?"
Ralph Felten of Royal St. Augustine, who said, "I live near where (the city commission) was originally going to put (adult businesses) and I think it would have been better to have it in one place than to spread it around."
Melissa Martz, resident in the original proposed adult entertainment zone, who said, "(The Record reporter) must live near one of the new adult "zones" she reported about, citing only (City Commissioner Don) Crichlow's negative comments and not reporting on the benefits of spreading the zones through the city. Her spin on the subject is obvious. It's a shame that the Record can't publish an article that doesn't lean."
Edgar Lesmes, retired Miami Dade County deputy, whose sister lives in an affected St. Augustine area, said, "I worked as a deputy for 25‡ years and I'm a member of Florida Family Association, which are activists against crime and porn. In my experience, it is best to contain (adult businesses) to one area that is not near residences, schools or parks."
Eileen Wine of the Commodores Club, a subdivision near a proposed adult zone, said, "I think it's atrocious to put it on Anastasia Island. I will protest at the next (City Commission meeting). Any commissioner who votes for this won't get my vote in the next election."
Elizabeth Gessner, city resident outside of affected area, said " limiting their locations also limits the number of landlords likely to rent to them, and makes it easier for the community to put pressure on a landlord who rents to a business that becomes a particular problem."
Martha and John Russo, residents who live adjacent to an affected area, said, "I was told by a DOT (Department of Transportation) official that the U.S.1 and (State Road) 312 bridge is the busiest intersection in the county. they will be driving right past that designated area. What are they thinking?
Melinda Sinyard of The St. Augustine Shores, said, "We should contain (adult entertainment) to one area so at least it can be policed and we can keep our children away from that area."
Robert Andrew, Anastasia Island resident, said, "What can the city Commissioners possibly be thinking? Allowing adult business zones to be located in dozens of places throughout the city makes absolutely no sense. To think that only one commissioner realizes this is frightening."
Marjorie Rider, St. Johns County resident, said, "To put adult businesses in a neighborhood that has an assisted living facility is not only wrong but it is an insult to all older taxpayers who came to St Augustine because of its beauty. Not only would it affect the Allegro, but all other houses in Commodore Club and Marsh Creek who use Mizzell (Road) as their back entrances."
-- Kati Bexley
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