MISSION VIEJO : Adult Businesses Restricted to Zones

Making a preemptive strike against adult businesses, the City Council has passed an ordinance restricting them to four areas in the city.

Although city officials say only one adult entertainment business in the city will fall under the ordinance and no others have made serious overtures to move into Mission Viejo, council members passed the ordinance, effective immediately, to prevent approval of any permit applications.

A final version of the law is still being worked on by the Planning Commission, which for several months has held public meetings and studied ways to make adult business restrictions legally solid.

The areas where adult businesses will be permitted include:

* A strip of undeveloped land a short distance from El Toro Road, just east of Marguerite Parkway.

* Four parcels on Acero, near Jeronimo Road and Alicia Parkway.

* Five lots on Obrero Drive, between Via Fabricante and Jeronimo Road.

* A section of land near Crown Valley Parkway, Puerta Real and City Hall on La Alameda.

In choosing the adult business zones, the city considered proximity to schools and residences, along with visibility from major streets.

Video stores and liquor stores dealing in adult magazines and movies will not be affected by the ordinance.

One massage parlor on Via Fabricante already exists near one of the adult business zones, city officials said.