EVERETT – Existing adult retail outlets such as the controversial Taboo Video store in south Everett should not be forced to move, even if new restrictions on adult businesses are enacted, the City Council decided Wednesday in a nonbinding resolution.
The council in July asked the planning commission to research whether to more strictly regulate the location of adult businesses. The council also barred new adult retail shops from opening in Everett until January.
City Council President Arlan Hatloe said it would be unfair to force existing businesses to move.
“The council strongly believes that a legitimate business – whether we like the material they’re selling or not – that applies for a business license and is accepted, invests money in good faith and complies with all the regulations should be able to stay where they are,” he said.
Opponents of Taboo Video expressed fears that the store would attract criminals, including child molesters. But an April police study found little difference between the number of crimes near adult video and conventional video stores.
“I haven’t been presented with any evidence to support an assertion that there’s any public safety concern,” Councilwoman Brenda Stonecipher said.
The council also voted to oppose concentrating adult-oriented stores in only one part of Everett.
“We don’t want any part of our city to be known as a red-light district,” Councilman Mark Olson said.
The vote on both measures was 6-0. Councilwoman Marian Krell was absent.
The group Zone Porn, which is spearheading opposition to Taboo Video, has said it supports a law that would force existing adult retail outlets to move if they are near schools, day care centers, residential areas, parks or religious buildings. A May federal appellate court ruling allows such laws under certain conditions.
Taboo opponent Gordy Lindstrom stormed out of Wednesday night’s meeting after accusing the council of showing him disrespect by not notifying him of the action it was about to take. He said later that the council should not have taken a stand on the issue of a grandfather clause before the possible effects of adult businesses are studied further.
Stonecipher said she introduced Wednesday’s resolution because Lindstrom repeatedly complained that the council had not been clear as to whether it supported making an ordinance retroactive.
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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