Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Time to put a lid on it 11/9/09 • Two Snohomish County councilmen differ on restricting bikini barista stands 10/20/09 • Crowd voices outrage over bikini barista, but some come out in support 10/7/09 • Bikini baristas are now on one county councilman's radar 10/5/09 • 5 baristas’ trials set for December 10/3/09 • Everett tightens laws for baristas 10/2/09 • Former baristas claim boss told them to wear pasties 10/1/09 » More GRAB-N-GO stories >   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, November 9, 2009 County tackles bikini barista rules A proposed law would restrict risque coffee stands to adult-entertainment zones. By Noah Haglund Herald Writer 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. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out what did god say about nudity? who told you that you were naked? then kicked Adam /eve out of the garden Mr cooper don't go to Hawaii you would be offended brian smith | Nov 10, 2009 4:41 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal (No heading) I see as much skin at 7-11 in there magazine rack or the beach for that matter. I really don't see much of a problem. If they are caught doing anything illegal thats another story if not then let em sell coffee. Mark Butschke I couldnt agree with this statement. These girls are only trying to get an edge in an over saturated market. I mean how many coffee stands are there? a little skin helps them get better tips. hell yes! If I looked like half these girls I would be working there myself. A little skin/tummy/breast has never hurt anyone. But then again there are alot of prudeish people out there who still give me dirty looks when I breastfeed my child! dawn chandlerq | Nov 9, 2009 7:09 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal 50 or more people complained. Just over 50 people complained. Does this mean if more then 50 people complain Everett is gonna legalize marijuana also? 50 people complain lets change the law... Way to go Everett! People are so stupid... Craig French | Nov 9, 2009 8:36 am | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Wasting time, or an excuse to spice up bureaucracy? The City of Everett and Snohomish County meetings must have been awfully dry and boring before "bikini espresso" was added to the agenda. I've never attended, but I'll bet our drowsy and apathetic bureaucrats sit up straight and devote full attention when this subject finally comes up - especially if there are audio/visual aids. Never mind that the super-enlarged grainy cell-phone photos were snapped by some disgruntled and uptight soccer mom who's life was in the doldrums before they spotted (gasp!) a flash of skin while driving by in her grungy minivan. All facetiousness aside, isn't here a better way to squander our tax dollars? P.S. to The Herald - This report is much clearer and evenly balanced than those done by the other reporters. How about an in depth interview with the "despicable" owners and or the "slutty" baristas? Douglas Stevens | Nov 9, 2009 1:52 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Is it possible? I would like to thank Noah Haglund for printing an article on this issue and not injecting it with his personal bias, and proving that some reporters do have ethics and standards. I still think this issue is a waste of tax money and time, and there are more important issues we need to focus on, but I hope the Herald continues to let real journalism step up. Mark Satarel | Nov 9, 2009 12:30 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal bikini coffee I drive by those stands frequently and I can't really see much. I've looked but I only see a girl that looks like she's wearing a bikini or could be nude. I think you have to get a closer look to really tell the difference. I see as much skin at 7-11 in there magazine rack or the beach for that matter. I really don't see much of a problem. If they are caught doing anything illegal thats another story if not then let em sell coffee. Mark Butschke | Nov 9, 2009 9:56 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal get over yourself Americans, or those in Snohomish should get over there sexuality. It's a coffee shack and if you don't like the way they dress, go elsewhere and get over "your" issues. Just look around at our society. It is full of sexuality, but no one wants to admit it. D Barlow | Nov 9, 2009 7:37 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal get over yourself Americans, or those in Snohomish should get over there sexuality. It's a coffee shack and if you don't like the way they dress, go elsewhere and get over "your" issues. Just look around at our society. It is full of sexuality, but no one wants to admit it. D Barlow | Nov 9, 2009 7:37 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal idiots Lingerie and pasties will get you put into an adult zone, but bathing suits won't? HAHAHAHAHA!!! You can always pull down a bathing suit, too. You'll never be happy until they're all shut down. R N | Nov 9, 2009 7:00 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

1. From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore to keep running 2. A student by day, he's homeless by night 3. Colton Harris-Moore’s mother says he’s not out in the cold 4. Vigil at Mariner High School honors two crash victims 5. Attorney’s daughter: Mom had to have deal with Tiger Woods 6. Sen. Haugen’s husband sued by her former aide 7. Korean Air to buy Boeing 747-8 passenger planes 8. Fund set up to benefit children of couple killed in crash 9. Everett approves a tribute to key figure in its history 10. Snohomish County home sales up; prices fall 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million