NORWALK : Moratorium Placed on Adult Business Licenses
Following the lead of other cities, the Norwalk City Council has imposed a temporary ban on adult business licenses.
The 45-day moratorium, which took effect May 2, prevents anyone from opening an adult movie theater, nude cabaret or adult bookstore while city officials review and revise existing regulations.
Norwalk does not have any adult establishments but allows them in industrial and commercial zones, City Manager Ernie Garcia said. A 1993 federal appeals court ruling requires cities to establish commercially viable areas for adult entertainment.
Some council members, however, said adult entertainment is not welcome in Norwalk. “We want to let people know that we’re not in favor of that stuff in our community,” Councilman Mike Mendez said.
Councilwoman Eleanor Zimmerman said she hopes the ban, which can be extended another 10 1/2 months, will dissuade any interested parties. “We’re trying to forestall any of these outfits from coming into town because we really don’t want them,” she said.
Downey approved a similar 45-day moratorium April 25. Cerritos had a similar ban, then extended it by 10 1/2 months in October.
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