St. Augustine City Commission might modify adult businesses zoning plan

St. Augustine City Commission might modify adult businesses zoning plan



KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07


The St. Augustine City Commission could amend a proposed ordinance today, resulting in a statute that would no longer contain adult entertainment to one area in the city but would open several areas to the businesses.

City commissioners will consider amending an ordinance to allow adult entertainment in the city's densest commercial zoning areas with the restrictions that it is 500 feet from places that sell alcohol and 300 feet away from churches, schools and parks.

That leaves a number of open areas that have not been developed in the city, said Mark Knight, city planning and building department director. This includes land on State Road 312 near a Gate gas station and property on U.S. 1 and West King Street, Knight said.

In June, the commission passed three ordinances on first reading that said where and how adult entertainment could operate in the city. Previously, the city didn't have regulations for these businesses.

One of the measures defined a three-block area off Ponce de Leon Boulevard just north of State Road 16 as the only place the businesses could locate. But the public flooded City Hall to speak against the proposal .

The measure was tabled, and the commission held a workshop on the issue, creating the proposed amendment.

"Unfortunately, (the amendment) provides for more places to locate," said Mayor Joe Boles. "But it lessens the possibility (adult entertainment) would be concentrated in one area, and that's what the people told us they didn't want."

The commission is expected to approve the amendment, but Boles said the decision hinges on the public's reaction tonight. The commission has already given final approval to the two ordinances that dictate the adult entertainment businesses' hours of operation and prohibits alcohol sales.


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771490.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record