Thursday, August 23, 2001
The ordinance is patterned after one in Pulaski Township, which has an adult bookstore.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Neshannock Township supervisors have adopted an ordinance to regulate adult businesses in the subdivision.
Supervisors approved the measure, which gives the township the authority to oversee the operation and licensing of those establishments, during their regular meeting Thursday.
In 1998, the township adopted a zoning ordinance and established an area along lower King's Chapel Road as the only zone in the township where an adult business could set up shop.
But supervisors have had no ordinance in place to regulate adult businesses.
"Basically, we told them where they could be, but we didn't give them any rules and requirements and we didn't have any regulations," said John DiCola, township supervisor. "We wanted to have a way to be able to regulate them."
About ordinance: The new ordinance calls for adult-business owners, operators and workers to be licensed through the township. Township officials have the right to conduct a criminal background check on each person applying for a license.
Richard Harper, township solicitor, said of the 27 municipalities in Lawrence County, only Pulaski Township has a similar ordinance on record. That ordinance is being challenged by Eric Boron of Salem, Ohio, owner of an adult bookstore on U.S. Route 422 in Pulaski.
"But we believe this ordinance is legal and can stand up in court and has been approved by both state and federal courts," he said. "My experience is these businesses show up where they have the least resistance. I see this ordinance as a preventive step."
Supervisors said so far no one has inquired about locating an adult business in the township.