[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Chesterfield 2-12-1987 by Ord. No. 1987-2. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 66.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 94.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 114.
Land use — See Ch. 130.
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is to uphold the moral values and integrity of the citizenry of the Township of Chesterfield. This chapter is enacted based upon the moral, philosophical and religious beliefs held by the citizens of Chesterfield; the desire of the citizens of Chesterfield Township to maintain the township's present character and values; to provide for the social welfare, health and peace of the citizens of Chesterfield Township; to prevent adverse effects on the morals of its youth; and to prevent an increase in transient traffic, loitering and crime that could result in the lowering of property values should the prohibited activities as set forth herein be allowed to operate in the Township of Chesterfield.
B. 
It has been determined that adult entertainment uses, as defined by this chapter, tend to attract an undesirable quantity and quality of transients, adversely affect property values, cause an increase in crime and encourage residents and businesses to move elsewhere.
C. 
It is recognized that the prohibition of the uses as set forth in this chapter is essential if the property values and moral values of the neighborhoods within the Township of Chesterfield are to be preserved and the public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience and general welfare promoted.
D. 
In order to promote the health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience and general welfare of the residents of the township, this chapter is intended to expressly prohibit certain adult entertainment uses in all zones and zoning districts in the township.
E. 
The Township of Chesterfield deems the above interests to be of a significant governmental interest and seeks to preserve them in the least restrictive means by allowing certain uses as delineated below.
As Used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADULT BOOKSTORE
An establishment having, as a preponderance, a substantial or significant portion of its stock-in-trade books, magazines, films for sale or viewing on premises, by use of motion-picture devices or any other coin-operated means and other periodicals which are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas or an establishment with a segment or section devoted to the sale or display of such material.
ADULT ESTABLISHMENT AND ADULT ENTERTAINMENT
An adult bookstore, adult motion-picture theater, adult mini-motion-picture theater, a massage parlor business or a cabaret, as defined in this section.
ADULT MINI-MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity of fewer than 50 persons used for presenting a preponderance of material distinguished or characterized by emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, for observation by patrons therein.
ADULT MOTION-PICTURE THEATER
An enclosed building with a capacity of 50 or more persons used for presenting a preponderance of films or films consisting of materials distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities for observation by patrons therein.
CABARET
A nightclub, theater or establishment which features live performances by topless and/or bottomless dancers, waiters, waitresses, bartenders or barmaids, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers or similar entertainers, where such performances are distinguished or characterized by emphasis on specified sexual conduct or specified anatomical areas.
MASSAGE PARLOR
Any place where for any form of consideration or gratuity a massage, alcohol rub or administration of electric or magnetic treatments or any other treatment or manipulation of the human body occurs as part of or in connection with specified sexual activities or where any person providing such treatment, manipulation or service relating thereto exposes specified anatomical areas.
SPECIFIED SEXUAL ACTIVITIES AND SPECIFIED ANATOMICAL AREAS
The same definition as found in the New Jersey Statutes, N.J.S.A. 2C:34-3, and the same are incorporated herein and made part hereof as if fully set forth.
A. 
No businesses will be allowed to operate an adult bookstore, as defined in § 58-2 of this chapter.
B. 
Those establishments desiring to sell books, magazines, videotapes or cassettes, films (with regard to videotapes, etc., for sale and/or rental) and such similar material, may do so so long as it is for the viewing off-premises.
C. 
Magazines, books or periodicals are to be displayed or advertised so as to be out of the reach and view of minors, and should not be the main sales function of the business.
D. 
With regard to the sale or rental of videocassettes or films, these items may be available for sale or rent for off-premises viewing but are not to be prominently displayed or advertised and should be out of the reach and view of minors and should not be the main sales function of a business.
No cabaret, nightclub, theater or other establishment which features live performances by topless and/or bottomless dancers, waiters, waitresses, bartenders and barmaids, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers or similar entertainers, where such performances are distinguished or characterized by emphasis on specified sexual conduct or specified anatomical areas, shall be allowed within the Township of Chesterfield.
Should the establishments prohibited by this chapter be deemed to be allowable pursuant to constitutional standards as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such establishment, in order to do business within the Township of Chesterfield, must file a community impact statement.
A. 
Filing of community impact statements. Upon the determination that a prohibited act of this chapter is unconstitutional and must be allowed to operate in some form within the Township of Chesterfield, then said business shall file with the township a community impact statement for licensure of said business. No business license shall be issued to any proposed business which is determined by the governing body of the Township of Chesterfield to be oriented towards serving or attracting a transient population of customers or patrons. Furthermore, a license shall not be issued to any establishment whose activity may not be reasonably related to the health, education, safety and welfare of the community, until said business has first prepared and submitted to the township a community impact statement, as hereinafter described.
B. 
Purpose. Businesses which are not family oriented and which may have an adverse impact upon family commerce, recreation, education and worship should be encouraged to locate in other communities where their patronage would be more suitable and profitable and where their impact would be more acceptable. In order to identify such businesses to determine whether or not they should be licensed and what special requirements, if any, should be imposed, the Township of Chesterfield shall require a study and review of probable impact on the community of any proposed business activity oriented towards serving or attracting a special population of customers and not oriented toward activities reasonably related to the health, education, safety and welfare of the family.
C. 
Contents of community impact statements. Community impact statements shall contain the following elements:
(1) 
A detailed description of the proposed business; names and addresses of all owners and shareholders, officers and directors thereof; proposed location; description of building and facilities; description of merchandise or services to be sold or otherwise provided; proposed hours of operation; profile of expected customers; projected market area; and reference to other similar business operations.
(2) 
An analysis of the existing business community within a three-hundred-foot radius of the proposed location, including the following factors, at a minimum:
(a) 
Types of businesses.
(b) 
Profile of customers.
(c) 
Market area.
(d) 
Economic growth/deterioration.
(e) 
Property values.
(f) 
Proximity of residential neighborhoods.
(g) 
Proximity of schools, churches and public facilities.
(3) 
The impact of the proposed business upon the factors described in Subsection B above.
(4) 
The impact of the proposed business upon the physical health, mental health and social health and social environment of Chesterfield Township.
(5) 
The names, addresses and signatures of owners of property within a two-hundred-foot radius of the proposed establishment attesting to the fact that those signing gave no objection to the type of business to be conducted under Subsection C(1) above.
(6) 
Alternative locations for the proposed business and/or alternative business for the proposed location.
D. 
Review and decision-making process.
(1) 
A completed community impact statement, together with 20 copies, shall be filed by the applicant with the Township Clerk and Planning Board Secretary and other parties requesting the same. The Township Clerk may assess a charge for the cost of copying any completed community impact statement issued to private parties.
(2) 
The Clerk shall invite comment, to be made within 30 days, on the community impact statement from the township's Planning Consultant and Planning Board Engineer. Within 60 days, the Planning Board shall make recommendations to the Township Committee on whether the applicant's business license shall be granted or denied and/or whether certain steps shall be taken by the applicant to reduce the adverse impacts of its proposed business on the Chesterfield Township.
(3) 
The Township Committee shall then schedule a public hearing for the purpose of considering issuance of the business license to the applicant. At the conclusion of the public hearing and any continuances thereof, the Township Committee shall either grant or deny the business license or grant the business license subject to conditions.
(4) 
It shall be valid grounds for the denial of a business license if the Township Committee finds that a proposed business will have a significant adverse impact upon the community and will be significantly inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter. The possibility of mitigating measures agreed to by the applicant shall be taken into account.
(5) 
No business license shall be denied solely on the basis of the contents of written, audio or visual communications sold or made available to customers unless the same is found to be obscene as defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:34-2 et seq.
E. 
Retroactive effect. All procedural elements of this chapter shall have retroactive as well as prospective application to any and all businesses that have not received a final and unconditional business license on the date of enactment hereof. The substantive elements of this chapter are deemed to be necessary for the immediate protection of the public health, safety and general welfare and shall also apply to aid businesses.
F. 
Review of licenses.
(1) 
The Township Committee shall maintain continuing jurisdiction to review the licenses of all businesses which were granted after Township Committee review of the business's community impact statement in order to assure that the public interest is served by the businesses having been issued the same.
(2) 
Review proceedings may be initiated in any of the following ways:
(a) 
Upon written request of the Township Committee on any of the following grounds:
[1] 
Violation of the Chesterfield Township ordinances, including but not limited to the Zoning, Subdivision, Building, Plumbing, Mechanical or Fire Code of the township or of the township's anti-obscenity ordinance.
[2] 
Conducting activities other than as described in the community impact statement.
[3] 
Violation of any condition of the business license.
[4] 
If there has been a material change in the licensee's business activities and/or in the merchandise or services provided to customers, which change may have adverse impact on the community, in violation of the goals and purposes of this chapter.
(b) 
Upon petition filed with the Township Clerk of not fewer than 25 property owners or tenants or 50% of all of the property owners or tenants within a three-hundred-foot radius of the subject premises, stating that said business has a significant adverse impact on the community and is significantly inconsistent with the criteria for family-oriented businesses established by this chapter.
G. 
Review procedure; Committee action.
(1) 
Upon receipt of a request for review proceedings, the Township Committee shall set a date for a public hearing and direct the Township Clerk to mail the licensee notice.
(2) 
The Township Clerk shall send the licensee notice of the date, time and place of the public hearing by certified mail to the licensee's business address, as stated on its business license. Notices shall also be mailed to those persons whose names and addresses appear on the petition, if such was filed.
(3) 
After the public hearing, the Township Committee may revoke the business license on any of the following grounds:
(a) 
The licensee has made a materially false, incomplete or misleading statement in any application for the business license or in the community impact statement.
(b) 
The nature of the business and/or the character of the surrounding area has so changed, such that the business will have a significant adverse impact upon the community and will be significantly inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter.
(c) 
There are material violations of Zoning, Subdivision, Building, Plumbing, Mechanical or Fire Codes of the township or of any other ordinances of the township.
Any person violating any provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, and each day that the violation continues shall be a separate offense, punishable by a separate fine.