Published: Monday, November 9, 2009
County tackles bikini barista rules
A proposed law would restrict risque coffee stands to adult-entertainment zones.
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council plans to discuss two proposed laws today to deal with risque espresso stands that have some onlookers in a froth.
One proposal would clarify lewd-conduct offenses by employees who are visible to the public while clad in skimpy attire such as lingerie or pasties. The other would push the more blatantly adult businesses into special adult-entertainment zones. The laws would apply only in unincorporated Snohomish County.
“There are two avenues we’re looking at and they’re complementary avenues,” Councilman Dave Gossett said.
Gossett’s idea follows similar lines as a lewd conduct law that Lynnwood passed recently.
The county’s other draft law, from Council Chairman Mike Cooper, would try a different approach through zoning regulations and business licenses. Part of Cooper’s plan would eliminate a current county requirement that a business must do 25 percent or more of its trade in adult entertainment to be regulated as an adult venue. Since many drive-through stands serve java, his law would cover any other attractions that might draw customers.
Cooper said last week he intends to change his draft to prevent unintended consequences. Other councilmen have suggested that his ordinance, by doing away with the 25 percent rule, would unintentionally clamp down on businesses such as corner stores that sell a small number of adult magazines.
Today’s scheduled meeting, at 10:30 a.m. in the county administration building, is open to the public, but does not allow the audience to comment on the proposals. A separate meeting for that purpose is likely to be scheduled today for some time in December.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Today’s meeting
County leaders will discuss proposed laws to regulate drive-through coffee stands at 10:30 a.m. today, Snohomish County administration building east, eighth floor, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
To view an archived video of the meeting, go to http://tinyurl.com/yz2zxhs. Click on the administrative session drop-down menu.
One proposal would clarify lewd-conduct offenses by employees who are visible to the public while clad in skimpy attire such as lingerie or pasties. The other would push the more blatantly adult businesses into special adult-entertainment zones. The laws would apply only in unincorporated Snohomish County.
“There are two avenues we’re looking at and they’re complementary avenues,” Councilman Dave Gossett said.
Gossett’s idea follows similar lines as a lewd conduct law that Lynnwood passed recently.
The county’s other draft law, from Council Chairman Mike Cooper, would try a different approach through zoning regulations and business licenses. Part of Cooper’s plan would eliminate a current county requirement that a business must do 25 percent or more of its trade in adult entertainment to be regulated as an adult venue. Since many drive-through stands serve java, his law would cover any other attractions that might draw customers.
Cooper said last week he intends to change his draft to prevent unintended consequences. Other councilmen have suggested that his ordinance, by doing away with the 25 percent rule, would unintentionally clamp down on businesses such as corner stores that sell a small number of adult magazines.
Today’s scheduled meeting, at 10:30 a.m. in the county administration building, is open to the public, but does not allow the audience to comment on the proposals. A separate meeting for that purpose is likely to be scheduled today for some time in December.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
Today’s meeting
County leaders will discuss proposed laws to regulate drive-through coffee stands at 10:30 a.m. today, Snohomish County administration building east, eighth floor, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.
To view an archived video of the meeting, go to http://tinyurl.com/yz2zxhs. Click on the administrative session drop-down menu.
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