LOS ALAMITOS : City Extends Adult Business Moratorium

For at least another year, city officials will not process applications to establish massage parlors, adult bookstores, strip joints and other adult businesses in the city.

The City Council Monday decided to extend until Aug. 7, 1995, a temporary ordinance that provides for a moratorium on adult businesses.

It is the second time that the ordinance, originally passed on Aug. 9, 1993, has been extended. City Atty. Thomas W. Allen said Monday that he is still conducting surveys of neighboring cities to determine the effect of adult businesses on those communities while preparing a permanent ordinance. This is the final extension permitted by law. The permanent ordinance likely would contain similar restrictions.

He said that the ordinance is not intended to limit or restrict adult-oriented materials, which are protected by the U.S. and California constitutions.

Also considered as adult businesses are movie houses that show adult films, public baths, figure modeling studios, acupressure clinics, cabarets that feature topless dancers and strippers, and adult hotels and motels that feature pornographic movies.

The city manager may grant exemptions to the ordinance under stringent conditions. An adult business will not be permitted within 300 feet of a church, school, park, playground, mobile home park or a residential area.

In addition, adult businesses will not be allowed within 500 feet of each other. The building housing the business also must blend with the surrounding commercial structures.