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Revised Law Will Ban Nudity, Lap Dances

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

PLANT CITY - Total nudity and lap dances would be banned in sexually-oriented businesses under proposed changes to city laws.

The city commission is expected to vote on the revised ordinances during two public hearings scheduled for Monday and Dec. 10. The proposed changes tighten adult entertainment laws that were last revised in 2005, City Attorney Ken Buchman said.

There are no such businesses in the city, but officials say they want tougher regulations on the books in case one opens.

The proposals would establish definitions, limit hours of operation and prohibit "live nudity in sexually-oriented businesses," according to a city staff report.

The proposed laws include strict regulations and target specific types of businesses. They include:

•Barring patrons and employees in sexually-oriented businesses from appearing completely nude.

•Dancers at clubs or bars, who can only perform semi-nude, must remain at least six feet from any customer and on a stage that is at least 18 inches from the floor. Dancers are not allowed to touch a customer or the clothing worn by a customer.

•Adult entertainment establishments, except adult motels, cannot operate between the hours of 2 and 6 a.m. on any day.

Applicants who wish to operate X-rated theaters must submit a diagram of the property showing the location of all operators' stations, viewing rooms, overhead lighting fixtures, video cameras, monitors and restrooms.

The city last revised the laws in 2005 after Taurus Property Ventures sought to open an adult entertainment club in a former truck repair shop on the northwest corner of U.S. 92 and County Line Road. City officials said they had planned to revise adult-use standards even before Taurus filed its application.

During 2005 public hearings, residents urged the commission to toughen the laws while others spoke out about banning strippers entirely from performing within city limits.

The city refused to issue an adult-use permit to Taurus, citing an established ordinance that prohibited adult entertainment facilities within 1,000 feet of each other. Taurus' business would have been about 650 feet away from Showgirls Men's Club just outside the city limits on U.S. 92. Taurus sued the city to get a permit to open but dropped its lawsuit after losing court decisions.

The buffer zone - which would remain unchanged if the new laws are approved - prohibits any sexually-oriented business within 1,000 feet of another adult entertainment business and within 500 feet of a school, church, park, library, public recreation area, child care center or day nursery.

The public hearings on the amendments to the adult entertainment laws will be held at 7:30 p.m Monday and Dec. 10 in city hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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