Public Meeting Set To Discuss Impact Of Sexually-Oriented Businesses

by ABC-7 News Anchor/Reporter Stephanie Valle

EL PASO — County Commissioners will set up a public hearing in the next few months to hear about the impact of sexually-oriented businesses on the community.

This is the first step towards drafting and possibly adopting an ordinance regulating those kinds of businesses outside the city limits.

It’s the first time the Commissioners Court has moved to regulate adult businesses in the outlying areas of the county.

The County Attorney’s Office told the court the best way to move forward is to gather evidence from the county residents and business owners on whether these types of businesses are indeed negatively impacting the community.

Talk of regulating sex businesses through an ordinance – which is the only type of ordinance the county can adopt and enforce under state law – began in March when ABC-7 was contacted by Canutillo residents concerned about the location of Pegasus strip club. The club is across the street from a daycare, next door to a federally-funded shelter for migrant children, and down the road from Alderete Middle School.

The club owners have repeatedly said their establishment meets state guidelines for distance. At this time, sexually oriented businesses in the county only need to meet state regulations.

At least two El Paso residents who addressed the court said they were in favor of a county ordinance, but said they’ve personallyseen thecity’sstrip clubs not follow the sexually-oriented business ordinance.

“It’s business as usual,” Robert Reveles told the court. “If you do decide to pass an ordinance, please enforce it because the city isn’t.” Reveles added he wasn’t sure if the litigation surrounding that ordinance was keeping El Paso Police from enforcing the ordinance.

The items in the city’s ordinance coming under scrutiny include the controversial “six foot rule,” which restricts the distance between dancers and club patrons. Assistant County Attorney Holly Lytle said the drafted ordinance includes that restriction, but what’s included in the final draft is up to the court.

The court will schedule the public hearing for sometime in July.