Adult businesses hit with tougher licensing regulations

Thursday, March 22, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

Clark County commissioners passed one new law Wednesday making it tougher to set up adult businesses, but they discussed several other ordinances that might please other area industries.

The commission passed without dissent a rule that requires new adult, or sexually oriented, businesses to be at least 1,500 feet from residences, libraries or churches, an increase from 500 feet.

It establishes the same 1,500-foot separation from public parks, playgrounds and day care centers.

The new law also redefines "adult bookstores" to include video rental stores "which derive more than 51 percent of their business from the sale of adult material."

No one spoke against the new regulations.

The commission also will take a look at rules governing new pawnshops. The commissioners told county staff to prepare an ordinance that would allow the shops in local business zones, with a special use permit that would have to be approved by the commission.

Clark County law now allows the shops only in higher-intensity areas, such as general commercial and manufacturing zones that are home to large shopping malls and auto repair shops.

Chris Kaempfer, a land-use attorney who represents the SuperPawn chain, argued that the rules should be modified. He said there was little difference between pawnshops and second-hand stores, which are allowed in local business areas.

"We don't think there's any impact in any area, provided you have a use permit," he said.

County planning staff, which has recommended against changing the pawnshop ordinance, could prepare a draft ordinance for further discussion and introduction within the next several weeks.

The commission also decided to take a look at rules governing billboards in unincorporated parts of the valley. The law now generally restricts their use to major highways and the Strip.

Commissioner Erin Kenny said the need is to have "a more reasonable and practical" rule that gives the commission more influence over placement of the billboards.

The law now allows some billboards in areas that might not be appropriate while prohibiting their use where they should be used, Kenny said.

The commissioners voted to have a 90-day moratorium on new billboard applications so staff can meet with billboard-industry representatives to draft a new law.

Kenny said a new ordinance could be ready for introduction by April 4, the next regular meeting of the commissioners' zoning board.