[Added 8-17-2005 by Ord. No. 05-04]
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to control through zoning
regulations certain adult-oriented entertainment uses that have a
direct and detrimental effect on the character of the Village's residential
neighborhoods and commercial areas.
B. Limitation on communication materials. It shall not impose a limitation
on the content of any communication materials, including sexually
oriented materials as protected by the First Amendment.
C. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ADULT-ORIENTED ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS
An adult bookstore, adult video center, adult theater, adult
massage parlor, adult sauna, adult entertainment center, adult cabaret,
adult health/sport club, adult steam room/bathhouse facility, or any
other business whose primary business activity is characterized by
emphasis on matters depicting, describing, or relating to nudity,
sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse as defined
herein.
NUDITY
The showing of the human male or female genitals or pubic
area with less than a fully opaque covering or the depiction of covered
male genitals in a discernibly turgid state and/or the appearance
of bare buttocks, anus, or female breast.
SEXUAL CONDUCT
Acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, or physical contact
with a person's unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such
person be a female, her breast.
SEXUAL EXCITEMENT
The condition of human male or female genitals when in a
state of sexual stimulation or arousal.
D. Applicability. The provisions of this section of the Zoning Code
shall apply to all existing and future adult-entertainment-oriented
businesses. However, any such existing business that does not meet
the zoning district restrictions or the distance limitations may continue
its existence as a nonconforming use; provided, however, that no such
business may be enlarged or increased in size or be discontinued for
a period of no more than 180 days.
E. General requirements.
(1) Zoning district. Adult-use-only bookstores, adult theaters, adult
massage parlors, adult saunas, adult entertainment centers, adult
cabarets, adult health/sport clubs, adult steam room/bathhouse facilities,
and other adult-oriented entertainment businesses sexual in nature
may be operated or maintained only within the M-1 Manufacturing District,
provided that it is located on a minor or major arterial road and
subject to the distance limitations noted below.
(2) Distance limitations. No adults-only bookstore, adult theaters, adult
massage parlor, adult cabaret, health/sport club, adult steam room/bathhouse
facility, or other adult-oriented entertainment businesses as defined
under this section shall:
(a)
Be operated or maintained within 1,000 feet of the boundary
of any residentially zoned (R) district;
(b)
Be operated or maintained within 1,000 feet of a church, parking
recreational site, licensed day-care facility, public library, public
or private educational facility which serve persons age 17 or younger,
elementary school, high school, place of worship, or elderly housing
facility;
(c)
Be operated or maintained so that there are no more than two
such businesses within 2,500 feet as measured by the radius from each
business;
(d)
Distance limitations set forth herein shall be measured in a
straight line from the main public entrances of said premises or from
the lot lines of properties in residentially zoned (R) districts.
(3) Same use restrictions. No adult-oriented business shall be located
in the same building or upon the same property as another such use.
(4) Sign limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code,
an adult-oriented entertainment business shall not be permitted more
than one sign advertising its business, which shall be an on-premises
or building sign only. All such signs shall meet the following criteria:
(a)
Have no merchandise or pictures of the products or entertainment
on the premises displayed in window areas or any area where they can
be viewed from the sidewalk in front of the building;
(b)
No sign shall be placed in any window. A one square foot sign
may be placed on the door to state hours of operation and admittance
to adults only;
(c)
No sign shall contain any flashing lights, moving elements,
or mechanically changing messages;
(d)
No sign shall contain any depiction of the human form or any
part thereof nor shall it contain sexually explicit language such
as "nude dancing" or "girls, girls, girls," etc.;
(e)
No sexually oriented business may have any off-premises sign;
(f)
In order to allow currently operating adult-oriented entertainment
businesses to recover their financial investment in current signage,
any currently operating adult-oriented entertainment business shall
bring its signage into conformity with the provisions of this section
within one year from the date of passage of this chapter.
(5) Operating standards. All such adult-oriented entertainment businesses
shall operate in accordance with the following:
(a)
No employee shall solicit business outside the building in which
the business is located;
(b)
No male or female person, while on the premises, shall impose
to public view his or her genitals, pubic area, anus, or anal cleft.
Full nudity is prohibited;
(c)
No person on the premises shall engage in sexual conduct, sadomasochistic
abuse or in any way fondle their genitals;
(d)
Nudity is prohibited for any employee of an adult-oriented business
where such person is in direct, personal contact with another person.
(6) Building's exterior appearance. The building's exterior shall meet
the following criteria:
(a)
Colors to be earth or neutral tones with primary accent colors
to be within the same color family;
(b)
Stripes and geometric patterns are prohibited;
(c)
A color scheme which is directly inherent to a unique recognized
architectural style but not otherwise compliant with this section
may be reviewed and approved by the Village Board;
(d)
The exterior shall be adequately maintained in good condition.
F. In the
event of any conflict between this section and any of the provisions
of the Code of the Village of Benton, this section shall control.