Adult-Business Law Closer to Approval : Ordinance: Santa Ana City Council tentatively OKs a proposal to further limit new sites in number and location.

Limited by the courts from shutting down existing topless and nude bars, the Santa Ana City Council tentatively approved an ordinance Monday night to make opening an adult-oriented business in the city more difficult.

“We as neighborhoods are organizing to come out against these businesses,” said Alberta Christy, a resident of the Valley High neighborhood. “We have rights; the rights of the residents overshadow the rights of a business that may hurt the residents.”

Until now, the zoning code allowed two adult businesses within 1,000-foot-square areas. The new ordinance would set the limit at one. It also prohibits any adult business within 1,000 feet of a home, church or school or a park used mostly by juveniles. The previous minimum was 300 feet.

Many residents fear that more adult businesses will move into the city after the recent reopening of Mr. J’s, a topless bar, and changes at Paddy Murphy’s, once a regular pub but now a so-called “juice bar” where nude women dance in a small room where no liquor is served.

Paddy Murphy’s successfully sued the city in 1983, after police officers cited employees for exposing themselves. A judge upheld Paddy Murphy’s contention that it was a theater and that a city cannot prohibit nudity in a theater setting, Wheeler said.

City lawyers have tried to close another business, Adult Books & Video. But a Superior Court judge in February rejected their attempts because the city did not prove the business was enough of a nuisance.

Between February, 1990, and March, 1992, Santa Ana police vice officers made 109 arrests for solicitation for lewd conduct at Adult Books & Video, said Assistant City Atty. Robert Wheeler.

“It’s our feeling that these places act as a magnet to crime,” Wheeler said.

The new ordinance would go into effect Jan. 19 if approved at the next City Council meeting on a final reading. It would not apply to existing businesses.