THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 15, 1994 TAG: 9409150436
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Currituck County nightclubs featuring topless dancing may be forced to run for cover. County officials have begun a process to severely limit adult and sexually oriented businesses.
The Currituck County Planning Board on Tuesday evening approved an ordinance amendment that would limit where such businesses could operate.
``The whole purpose of this is to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Currituck County,'' said Jack Simoneau, the county planning and inspections director.
If adopted by the county Board of Commissioners, adult-oriented businesses would be allowed only in districts zoned for heavy manufacturing, which comprise a small portion of Currituck's land.
Adult establishments could not be within 1,000 feet of other dwellings, churches, public schools, day care centers, public playgrounds, swimming pools or parks. They also could not be within 1,000 feet of each other or any agricultural and general business zoned properties.
The amortization provision - a first for the county - could, if passed, bust up two topless nightclubs in the county.
The owner of Mermaids, a bar and pool hall in Point Harbor, recently lost his conditional use permit for having topless dancers after promising he would not.
Robert F. London said he plans to appeal the revocation by the Board of Adjustments. London said he changed his mind about topless dancing after opening last spring and learning it was legal in the county.
The new amendment to the county's unified development ordinance also would affect the False Alarm Lounge in the northern end of the county. It also features semi-nude dancers.
The Moyock nightclub could operate for two years after the provision is adopted but would then be required to change practices, move, close or request that property be rezoned, Simoneau said.
Other affected businesses would include adult arcades, adult bookstores, adult film and live theaters, massage parlors and any other establishment featuring sexually explicit material. by CNB