Council Revises Law for Adult Businesses

The City Council has modified the laws governing adult businesses to avoid legal challenges, despite opposition from residents and a councilman who expressed concern that the decision will allow topless bars and adult book stores to open in some shopping areas.

Interim City Atty. Michele Bagneris said the ordinance, approved by a 6-1 council vote Monday, will resolve any potential problems in the city’s law governing adult businesses and prevent a legal challenge to them. She said the changes do not alter a requirement that such businesses still be 500 yards from a school, church or recreation facility.

The changes stem from a lawsuit by the owner of the 20/20 Gentlemen’s Club in east Pasadena, who wants to have his bikini-clad dancers go topless. The lengthy legal battle has helped the city identify a number of potential problems in the city land-use law for so-called excessive uses, officials said.

But some residents say the law will allow adult businesses in an east Pasadena shopping mall and Old Pasadena, where one adult book store now operates.

Councilman William Paparian, who represents east Pasadena, opposed the ordinance after questioning why council members had not seen a map to show where such adult businesses would be allowed.