FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Ordinance Puts Curbs on Adult Businesses

A new ordinance that places strict standards on where an adult entertainment business can locate and how it can operate in the community was adopted this week by the City Council.

“None of us wants this in our city,” Councilman John Collins said Tuesday as the council unanimously approved final adoption of the ordinance.

Sexually oriented businesses will be able to locate in a portion of the industrial and commercial area known as Southpark.

Southpark, east of Euclid Street and west of the Santa Ana River, would provide a 600-foot buffer from homes and a nearby church along Euclid and Slater Avenue.

The ordinance imposes restrictions, such as limiting the hours of operation from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Planning Services Manager Andrew Perea said the ordinance will go into effect in late January.

City Council members said the move will protect residents from the adverse effects of adult businesses, such as higher crime, as well designate where they can open.

Because adult businesses--such as nude and topless clubs and bookstores--are protected under the First Amendment, council members said they could not impose an ordinance to ban them.

There are no adult businesses in Fountain Valley.

Council members said they are committed to continue their struggle to protect residents and to find a way to keep sexually oriented businesses out of town.

Mayor George B. Scott said that he has contacted local lawmakers to ask their assistance in writing legislation that would allow the city to set its own community standards to restrict adult businesses.