ZONING Sharon planners back Special District proposal

& lt;a href=mailto:gwin@vindy.com & gt;By HAROLD GWIN & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The city planning commission has backed a city council proposal to limit adult entertainment businesses to a rather remote industrial area of town.
Sharon has no zoning regulations regarding such businesses now, but city council, prompted by rumors that someone was looking at opening a strip club in the downtown business district along State Street, decided some control is necessary.
Council introduced a zoning ordinance amendment in February creating a Special District zone that would limit adult entertainment operations to an area on the city's south side, bounded by Stewart Avenue on the east, Phillips Street on the north, the Shenango River on the west and the city of Farrell line on the south.
That location is at least 1,000 feet away from all homes, schools and places where minors might congregate, city officials have said.
For review
Council sent its proposed zoning change to both the city and Mercer County Regional planning commissions for review and recommendation. The city planning commission endorsed it Tuesday, recommending that the change be made.
John Outrakis, commission chairman, said the regional planning body already had recommended approval of the zoning amendment.
"No one really wants it [adult businesses], but, legally, you have to watch what you do," Outrakis said, explaining that the law requires the city to make provisions for any legal business.
Attempting to ban adult entertainment businesses from opening somewhere in town could lead to a lawsuit, city officials have warned.
To avoid that, the city needs to set up a specific district where such businesses can be located.
City council is expected to consider final passage of the zoning amendment at its April 15 meeting.
& lt;a href=mailto:gwin@vindy.com & gt;gwin@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;