in Jefferson County appears to be headed for approval next month after
nearly seven years of delays.
Jefferson County commissioners have been considering the ordinance
that would cover such businesses as strip clubs and sex novelty shops
since March 2005, when nine moratoriums on such establishments going
into business until county regulations were approved.
What could be a final public hearing on the final draft of the
ordinance was scheduled on Monday for 10:15 a.m. March 12 when the
three commissioners will consider final approval of the proposal.
That hearing is to be conducted before the commissioners in their
chambers at the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., in Port
Townsend.
"I would dearly love to see these moratoriums come to an end," said
county Commissioner Phil Johnson who pointed out that the ordinance
would allow such businesses in more than one place in the county.
County Associate Planner David Wayne Johnson, who has taken the lead
on the developing the ordinance for the county Department of Community
Development, said such businesses would be allowed in areas zoned for
rural village centers, convenience centers, crossroad centers and
light industrial zones.
Both Quilcene and Brinnon are zoned as rural village centers and Glen
Cove Industrial Park south of Port Townsend is a light industrial
zone.
All are areas where sexually-oriented businesses could be established
under the law.
Commissioner Johnson said it "seemed odd" that such businesses would
be allowed to be "scattered" around the county.
Planner Johnson said the county had to zone sexually-oriented
businesses in more than one location because otherwise, the action
could be interpreted as creating a "red light district" and construed
as unconstitutional.
County Administrator Philip Morley said if all goes well there will be
no need to extend the moratorium once again.
"I am pleased to see we are getting to this point, quite frankly,"
said county Commissioner David Sullivan.
Some of the ordinance borrows from the city of Port Townsend law that
was adopted seven years ago and allows such businesses in the downtown
historic district.
As proposed, the ordinance requires that adult businesses be 1,000
feet away from churches and schools.
The county sheriff would administer licensing and the county hearing
examiner would hear any appeals of license denials, Morley said.
Johnson said the sheriff's office must take a role in review of
applications for adult-oriented because of the fear that such
businesses could be fronts for organized crime, including money
laundering and prostitution.
The county first discussed an adult business ordinance in early May
2005, but the matter fell by the wayside, with other issues taking
priority.
There is no county adult business law now in place.
"We think that this is a good final cut for the code for the
licensing," planner Johnson said.
"I think we can get this all done and have the public hearing" before
the moratorium expires.
The latest moratorium expires April 24.
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