GARDEN GROVE : New Ordinance May Force Out Businesses

Some adult bookstores, auto wrecking yards and billiard parlors are among the businesses that would be forced to move within two years under an ordinance the City Council is considering.

The city is studying several revisions to its municipal zoning code, including a tough new section on nonconforming uses--businesses and structures in zones restricted to different uses.

Garden Grove has been battling in court to control its adult entertainment businesses such as bookstores and peep shows, most of which have congregated along Garden Grove Boulevard.

The Planning Commission began its study of the code revisions at its meeting Thursday and will resume on Aug. 9. According to Jerry Blum, Garden Grove’s planning director, the ordinance is “very similar” to one proposed in March, 1989.

That ordinance drew the opposition of local political activist Woodrow D. Butterfield, who vowed to oppose the proposal with money and political efforts. He owns seven properties that might be affected by the ordinance.

But this time, Butterfield said he won’t fight. “The key word is ‘reasonable,’ ” he said. “I understand what they’re trying to accomplish. If they’re reasonable, I have no problem with it.”

The proposal would give the city the tools to begin removing businesses and structures that conflict with zoning or building codes. Some businesses may have up to 50 years to leave the area, but a special category of businesses will have just two years to depart.

The special category includes adult entertainment businesses, auto wrecking and salvaging yards, auto repair shops, billiard parlors and pool halls, service stations, commercial uses in residential zones, industrial uses in residential zones, industrial uses in commercial zones and residential uses in non-residential zones.