THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050361
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: 42 lines
Residents and ministers made clear Wednesday at a public hearing that they don't want sexually oriented businesses in Nags Head.
The Nags Head Board of Commissioners took no action at the 90-minute hearing, but indicated that it would vote soon to strengthen ordinances governing such establishments.
Under consideration is new language that would define adult-oriented bookstores and movie theaters.
The proposal would prohibit such establishments near schools, churches, day-care centers and residential areas.
The five-member board is seeking to further clarify the town's existing moratorium blocking adult-oriented businesses.
If approved, the new language would prohibit businesses such as restaurants from setting aside a portion of their business for sexually oriented entertainment.
Several ministers, including the Rev. Spotswood Graves of Outer Banks Presbyterian Church, expressed concern that adult-oriented businesses would have a negative impact on the town.
``I think it just creates a climate that does not bring out the best in people,'' Graves said.
The creation of a district allowing adult bookstores and movie theaters would send the wrong message to visitors, he said.
``It would definitely give the wrong impression of what our values are.''
About 50 people attended the hearing.
For the past 18 months, Nags Head, like other Dare County municipalities, has considered what to do about the issue of adult establishments.
Nags Head Commissioner Robert Muller is worried that a continuing delay in completing an ordinance could open the door to a court challenge of the moratorium.
``I'm very concerned,'' Muller said. ``I think we need to bring this thing to some kind of closure. I'm concerned that with every day that passes, we run the risk of a court challenge against our moratorium, making it more difficult to keep those businesses out of Nags Head.''
Additional public hearings will be held on the issue at the commission's October meeting. by CNB