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DUANE BOURNEThe proposed changes come four months after Hernando County updated its version and tightened restrictions.
BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville City Council, following the county's lead, is considering an ordinance to regulate adult entertainment businesses - none of which exist within city limits.
The draft ordinance was presented to the Council on Monday night four months after Hernando County commissioners revamped their 18-year-old adult businesses ordinance to discourage such establishments. City officials had been looking into the measure since then. However, the measure was stalled while Brooksville officials dealt with more pressing issues, such as adoption of its comprehensive plan, annexation and a now resolved dispute with the county over the Southern Hills Plantation development.
"I could not wait to talk about this," said Vice Mayor Mary Staib, who presided over the meeting in Mayor Richard Lewis' absence.
"Why, are you afraid of public nudity?" asked council member Joe Bernardini.
"No," replied Staib, blushing. "I was just wondering when the city was going to get this."
That moment of levity lasted a few moments as council members quietly reviewed the ordinance and tweaked its wording.
While city officials took no formal action on Monday, City Manager Richard Anderson said the ordinance is the first of several measures being considered that will concur with county laws, such as the junk car and sign ordinances. The first hearing on the adult business ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 1.
"Our council basically said that they wanted a uniform ordinance, so that there could not be a question of what side of the street it would be on," said Anderson.
In July, the County Commission overhauled its ordinance in an attempt to stop establishments such as strip joints, sex shops and erotic video stores from popping up in Hernando like in neighboring counties.
Under the city proposal, anyone who operates or works at one of the businesses is required to pay an annual licensing fee of $500 for owners and $50 for employees.
The ordinance also defines where such businesses can be located, regulates their hours of operation and prohibits the sale and use of alcohol on the premises.
Anderson doesn't expect an influx of adult entertainment business applications.
"We have not had any and I don't think we'll ever get any," he said.
- Duane Bourne can be reached at 352 754-6114. Send e-mail to dbourne@sptimes.com