HERMITAGE Ordinance proposed for adult businesses

The law would permit such businesses only in an area around Glimcher Boulevard in the central business district.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- City commissioners introduced an ordinance Wednesday regulating where adult-oriented businesses can locate in the city.
The proposal would allow such operations as adult bookstores or businesses featuring adult entertainment or movies to be a conditional property in the central commercial district only, said Gary Hinkson, city manager.
Not everyone agrees with that idea.
Hinkson said Commissioner Larry Gurrera suggested that adult businesses be relegated to the city's industrial zones, but there was no direct move to change the wording of the proposed ordinance.
The proposal will now go to the city and Mercer County Regional planning commissions for review and recommendations, he said.
Hermitage hasn't had any problems with adult businesses. In fact, it doesn't have any at this point, but Hinkson said the commissioners felt it important to set up regulations for such businesses should any seek to locate in the city.
Regulations: The ordinance would ban them from within 1,000 feet of any residential zoning district, 1,000 feet from any church or school, public park or recreation area and any establishments that sell or serve alcohol and 1,000 feet from any other adult business.
The exterior of the business must be designed so that the activities or products of the business are not visible from outside, and the content of all signs must be limited to the name of the business only and can't contain any pictures or graphics or any X letters, indicating X-ratings.
Hinkson said that, based on those regulations, the only place an adult business could be located is in the Glimcher Boulevard area between the Shenango Valley Freeway and East State Street.
As it stands now, such businesses could locate anywhere in the city's business district.
He said this ordinance, if passed, will be followed by a second health and safety ordinance that will regulate the actual operation of such businesses.