Oconee County proposes rules for adult-themed businesses

WATKINSVILLE - Oconee County commissioners have worked up a 15-page ordinance that would regulate adult-themed businesses in the county. <br> <br> The commission will vote on the ordinance Tuesday. <br> <br> It outlines when, how and where adult businesses -- those which sell sexually explicit products or services -- can operate. <br> <br> No such businesses presently operate in Oconee County. <br> <br> The proposed ordinance would allow the establishments to operate only within areas zoned for commercial use during the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. It would prohibit them within a thousand feet of residences, churches, schools, day care facilities, public parks or other adult establishments. <br> <br> Businesses must also be at least 500 feet from establishments that sell alcohol and the adult entertainment businesses would not be allowed to sell alcohol. <br> <br> Buford attorney Richard Carothers helped draft the ordinance. He says the purpose is not to ban adult entertainment but to regulate it and to limit problems that often result from it, such as crime and lowered property values. <br> <br> Carothers says he thinks the ordinance would hold up under a court challenge.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/1/184720