Plan Would Move Adult Businesses

Seven Garden Grove Boulevard adult businesses could be forced to relocate within two years if a plan proposed by city officials is approved.

The plan is the result of a 1992 zoning change that left the adult businesses operating in an area no longer zoned for the use.

Deputy City Manager Mike Fenderson said the council will discuss a proposed ordinance tonight that establishes a two-year window for adult business owners to close their facilities and relocate to an area where the use is permitted.

“This gives the adult businesses a prescribed amount of time to vacate the locations that are no longer in compliance,” Fenderson said.

City Planner Karl Hill said sections of Euclid Avenue, Brookhurst Street, Westminster Avenue, and Harbor and Garden Grove boulevards have been zoned for adult purposes and the business owners can apply to relocate to one of those areas.

If the council approves the two-year plan, owners of adult businesses will be allowed to apply for extensions, but will be required to meet newly outlined restrictions as a part of the extension approval, Hill said.

The proposed restrictions would require a new conditional use permit with “mandatory performance standards,” including restrictions on the display of sexually explicit materials and the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The ordinance will be sent to the Planning Commission for a recommendation before receiving final council consideration.