Adult-business location studied

The idea is to avoid having such businesses set up on a main street.
FARRELL, Pa. -- City officials want to create a "Special Entertainment District" where adult-oriented businesses can be located, but they're not exactly sure where that should be.
Atty. Stephen Mirizio, city solicitor, drafted a proposed ordinance to amend the city zoning laws to create the special district but told city council Monday that he needs some direction on what the boundaries should be.
City Manager LaVon Saternow said city council is taking a proactive approach to designating an area for that type of business, much as other local municipalities have done, to avoid having a business try to open up on a main city street.
The neighboring city of Sharon created a special zone off the Shenango Valley Freeway near Stewart Avenue that is adjacent to industrial land in Farrell.
Farrell Councilman Robert Burich said the city should set up its adult entertainment zone on its side of the border in that same location.
Mirizio cautioned that the city can't designate a section of land that is inaccessible and impossible to develop. That would invite a legal challenge.
Council voted to hire the consulting firm of Graney, Grossman, Colosimo and Associates of Grove City to assist Mirizio in preparing a final version of the zoning amendment.
The issue of where it will be located will have to be decided by city officials, Mirizio said.
Other action
In other business, council:
UAwarded a contract to David Construction Co. Inc. of Hermitage for $371,380 to make sewer and water improvements and build an access road for the second phase of the Hillside Industrial Park development overlooking Broadway Avenue.
Phase one, which has four businesses so far, is bounded roughly by Broadway on the west, Louisiana Avenue on the east, Idaho Street on the south and French Street on the north.
Phase two will have the same east and west boundaries but expand the park north as far as George Street.
The city will tap part of a $500,000 state economic development grant to help pay for the work.
UAwarded a $107,285 contract to Scobell Co. Inc. of Erie to replace a municipal building heating boiler and air-conditioning chiller unit. The old equipment was part of the building's construction in 1979 and no longer works properly to heat and cool the structure.