Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Kenton proposal: Regulate sex-oriented businesses
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDEPENDENCE — Advocates of an ordinance to regulate sexually oriented businesses in Kenton County hope to get approval for the measure from Kenton County Fiscal Court on Sept. 7, after making several changes to ensure that it withstands any court challenges.
“The citizens of Kenton County should not be asked to subsidize a business with proven harmful effects,” said Kenton County County Commissioner Barb Black, who proposed the legislation.
The changes include:
• Lowering the proposed licensing fee for operators of sexually oriented businesses from $1,000 to $725. The licensing fee for employees also would be lowered to $500.
“There is some case law where the amount of $725 has been upheld in the (U.S.) 6th Circuit (Court of Appeals),” said Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson.
Mr. Edmondson said the licensing fee is necessary to help cover the costs of monitoring sexually oriented businesses, and responding to problems resulting from such establishments.
Kenton County Commissioner Dan Humpert said he would like a better definition of employee.
“Do we define employees as dishwashers and cleaning people?” Mr. Humpert asked.
• Requiring anyone with any interest or ownership in a sexually oriented business to pay the licensing fee.
• Adding more specific terms in several areas to better define what constitutes a sexually oriented business or unlawful activities.
Mrs. Black, who proposed regulating sexually oriented businesses, said that communities across the nation have found that sexually oriented businesses lead to blight and decreased property values, contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and increase crime, illegal drug use and prostitution.
“We've had evidence in Northern Kentucky about negative secondary effects,” Mr. Edmondson said. As an example, he cited prostitution's harmful effects on Madison Avenue businesses. When legitimate business owners complained that the illegal activity was hurting their businesses, Mr. Edmondson said, he worked with a Covington Police Task Force to drive away prostitutes.
The proposed ordinance would apply to cities that don't have their own adult entertainment regulations, as well as the unincorporated county, Mr. Edmondson said.
In other business Tuesday, the fiscal court:
• Agreed to meet with representatives of the Kenton County Animal Shelter to discuss a recent county directive to stop spaying or neutering animals before they're adopted. Owners are instead to be given a voucher to take their newly-adopted pet to one of several area veterinarians for spaying or neutering.
• After hearing complaints that many people parked illegally on the grass at Mills Road Park this past weekend, the fiscal court directed the county's director of public works to post two more signs near the gate to the football fields by this weekend. Motorists who park on the grass Saturday and Sunday risk being ticketed and having their vehicle towed.
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