HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 09-1819
CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS
ORDINANCE NO. 09-1819
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER
4 "AMUSEMENTS" BY REPEALING ARTICLE IV "SEXUALLY
ORIENTED BUSINESSES" IN ITS ENTIRETY AND RESERVING
ARTICLE IV FOR FUTURE USE AND BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13
"OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS" BY ADDING A
NEW ARTICLE XII TITLED "SEXUAL ORIENTED BUSINESSES" TO
PROVIDE REGULATIONS RELATING TO SEXUALLY ORIENTED
BUSINESSES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, there is the potential for the location of sexually oriented businesses in the
City of The Colony and such businesses require special supervision from the public safety
agencies to protect and preserve the health, safety and welfare of the patrons of such businesses
as well as the citizens of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of The Colony finds that sexually oriented
businesses are frequently used for unlawful sexual activities, including prostitution and sexual
liaisons of the casual nature; and
WHEREAS, the concern over sexually transmitted diseases is a legitimate health
concern of the City which demands reasonable regulations of sexually oriented businesses to
protect the health and well-being of the citizens; and
WHEREAS, licensing is a legitimate and reasonable means of accountability to ensure
that operators of sexually oriented businesses comply with the reasonable regulations and to
ensure that the operators do not knowingly allow their establishments to be used as places of
illegal sexual activity or solicitation; and
WHEREAS, there is convincing documented evidence that sexually oriented businesses,
because of their very nature, have a deleterious effect on both the existing businesses around
them and the surrounding residential areas adjacent to them, causing increased crime and the
downgrading of property value; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that sexually oriented businesses, due to their nature, have
serious objectionable operational characteristics, particularly when they are located in close
proximity to each other, thereby contributing to urban and rural blight and downgrading the
quality of life in the adjacent areas; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of The Colony desires to minimize and control
these adverse effects and thereby protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; protect the
citizens from increased crime; preserve the quality of life; preserve the property values and
character of surrounding neighborhoods and deter the spread of urban blight; and
WHEREAS, convincing documented evidence and case law acknowledging the
physiological and sexual distinction between male and female breasts has been reviewed; and
WHEREAS, it is not the intent of the City Council of the City of The Colony to condone
or legitimize the promotion of obscene material; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of The Colony recognizes that applicable state
law prohibits the promotion of obscene materials, and the City Council expects and encourages
state law enforcement officials to enforce state obscenity statutes against any such illegal
activities in the City of The Colony; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, as elected representatives of the citizens of the City of
The Colony, has a duty to investigate the feasibility of adopting reasonable regulations to protect
the citizens of the City from activities that have adverse effects which are harmful to the health,
safety and general welfare of the citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the City Council received a report and heard testimony from staff and
attorneys at such public hearings regarding the secondary effects of such businesses, including
increased crime, prostitution, drug use and other illegal activities, and depreciation of property
values; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to minimize and control the adverse secondary
effects associated with sexually oriented businesses and thereby protect the health, safety and
welfare of the citizenry, preserve the quality of life, preserve property values and the character of
surrounding neighborhoods and to deter the spread of urban blight; and
WHEREAS, it is not the intent of this ordinance or any previously enacted ordinance to
suppress or limit any speech activities protected by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution, but to enact a content neutral, reasonable time, place and manner regulation that
effectively addresses the harmful secondary effects associated with sexually oriented businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the Code of Ordinances of the City of The Colony, Texas ("City")
be, and the same is, hereby amended by amending Chapter 4, "Amusements" by repealing
Article IV, "Sexually Oriented Business" in its entirety and reserving Article IV for future use
and by amending Chapter 13 "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions" by adding a new Article
XII titled "Sexual Oriented Businesses" to provide regulations relating to sexually oriented
businesses, which shall read as follows:
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"Chapter 13
OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
ARTICLE XII. SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Sec. 13-121. Purpose and intent.
(a) It is the purpose of this article to regulate sexually oriented businesses to promote
the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizens of the city, and to establish
reasonable and uniform regulations to prevent the continued concentration of sexually oriented
businesses within the city. The provisions of this article have neither the purpose nor effect of
imposing a limitation or restriction on the content of any communicative materials, including
sexually oriented materials. Similarly, it is not the intent nor effect of this article to restrict or
deny access by adults to sexually oriented materials protected by the First Amendment, or to
deny access by the distributors and exhibitors of sexually oriented entertainment to their intended
market.
(b) The findings contained in the preamble of this ordinance are determined to be true
and correct and are adopted as part of this ordinance.
Sec. 13-122. Findings.
(a) The following studies and reports regarding the adverse secondary effects
associated with sexually oriented businesses have been reviewed by City staff and presented to
and made available for review by the City Plan Commission and the City Council:
(1) A report prepared by the Amarillo, Texas Planning Department entitled "A Report
on Zoning and Other Methods of Regulating Adult Entertainment in Amarillo";
(2) A report prepared by the Beaumont, Texas Planning Department entitled
"Regulation of Adult Uses";
(3) "A Report on the Secondary Impact of Adult Use Businesses in the City of
Denver," prepared by multiple city departments for Denver City Council;
(4) "Interoffice Correspondence; Subject, Documentation of Secondary Effects of
Sexually Oriented Businesses," Bruce W. McClendon, Director of Planning, Fort
Worth;
(5) A report by Richard McCleary, Ph.D., and James W. Meeker, J.D., Ph.D.,
entitled "Final Report to the City of Garden Grove: The Relationship Between
Crime and Adult Business Operations on Garden Grove Boulevard";
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(6) A report prepared by the Indianapolis, Indiana Department of Metropolitan
Development Division of Planning entitled "Adult Entertainment Businesses in
Indianapolis: An Analysis";
(7) "A Study of Sexually Oriented Businesses in Kansas City," by Eric Damian
Kelly, FAICP, and Connie B. Cooper, FAICP, Kansas City, Missouri;
(8) A report prepared by the Los Angeles, California Department of City Planning
entitled "Study of the Effects of the Concentration of Adult Entertainment
Establishments in the City of Los Angeles";
(9) A report by the Newport News, Virginia Department of Planning and
Development entitled "Adult Use Study";
(10) "Adult Entertainment Study," prepared by the Department of City Planning, New
York City, New York;
(11) A report by the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Community Development Department
Planning Division entitled "Adult Entertainment Businesses in Oklahoma City: A
Survey of Real Estate Appraisers";
(12) "Adult Business Study" by City of Phoenix, Arizona Planning Department;
(13) "Survey of Appraisers in Monroe County," New York;
(14) "Effects on Surrounding Area of Adult Entertainment Businesses in Saint Paul,"
City of Saint Paul Division of Planning, Department of Planning and
Management; and Community Crime Prevention Project, Minnesota Cities Crime
Control Planning Board;
(15) A report of the Seattle, Washington Department of Construction and Land Use
entitled "Directors Report: Proposed Land Use Code Text Amendment-Adult
Cabarets";
(16) A memorandum from the Assistant Chief of Police of the City of Tucson, Arizona
to the City Prosecutor entitled "Adult Entertainment Ordinance";
(17) A report of the Whittier, California Planning Department Staff entitled
"Amendment to Zoning Regulations; Adult Business in C-2 Zone with
Conditional Use Permit";
(18) National Law Center for Children and Families, "NLC Summaries of SOB Land
Use Studies";
(19) "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Regulating Sex Businesses,"
Planning Advisory Services Report, American Planning Association, Eric Damian
Kelly, FAICP and Connie B. Cooper, FAICP;
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(20) Report of the Attorney General's Working Group on the Regulation of Sexually
Oriented Businesses, Hubert H. Humphrey, III, Attorney General, State of
Minnesota;
(21) Survey of Appraisers Fort Worth & Dallas, "Effects of Land Uses on Surrounding
Property Values," Duncan Associates, Eric Damien Kelly, FAICP, and Connie B.
Cooper, FAICP; and
(22) Study commissioned by Texas City Attorney's Association titled Part I: "A
Survey of Texas Appraisers - Secondary Effects of Sexually-Oriented Businesses
on Market Values," authored by Connie B. Cooper, FAICP, and Eric Damien
Kelly, Ph.D.; and Part II: "Crime-Related Secondary Effects - Secondary Study
of `Off-Site' Sexually-Oriented Businesses," authored by Richard McCleary,
Ph.D.
Such studies differentiate between the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses
that provide on-site entertainment and those that are retail facilities that sell goods intended for
off-site consumption.
(b) Based on the secondary effects studies, testimony, case law and other information before
it, the City Council has made the following legislative findings of fact:
(1) That certain conduct occurring on the premises of sexually oriented businesses is
detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the
City and, therefore, such conduct must be regulated;
(2) That sexually oriented businesses are associated with and promote prostitution,
illegal drug use and other criminal activity that constitute an immediate threat to
the public peace, health, morals and safety;
(3) That regulation of sexually oriented businesses is necessary because in the
absence of such regulation, significant criminal activity, including prostitution,
illegal drug use and disruptive behavior and high-risk sexual conduct that may
result in health hazards, has historically and regularly occurred;
(4) That sexually oriented businesses have a deleterious effect on both the existing
businesses around them and the surrounding residential areas adjacent to them,
causing increased crime and downgrading of property values; these deleterious
effects create a legitimate concern of the City to protect property values, business
interests and generally protect the City from urban blight associated with sexually
oriented businesses;
(5) That sexually oriented businesses have serious objectionable operational
characteristics, particularly when they are located in close proximity to each
other, thereby contributing to urban blight;
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(6) That sexually oriented videos and films shown in sexually oriented video viewing
booths are available for viewing, purchase or rental in other businesses which are
less harmful to the health, safety and welfare of the community, and therefore
sexually oriented video viewing booths should be prohibited in favor of other
venues;
(7) That the secondary effects precipitated by establishment of a sexually oriented
business can be substantially mitigated by requiring separation of the sexually
oriented business from residential uses and places of public assembly and from
one another;
(8) That retail-only sexually oriented businesses with no on-premises entertainment
have deleterious effects on surrounding commercial, residential and public
properties by causing increased crime and adversely affecting property values
and the marketability of surrounding properties;
(9) That, as a consequence of greater visual impacts and impacts on property
values, distances separating sexually oriented businesses from residential uses,
places of assembly and educational institutions and other land uses should be
greater than the normal distances between commercial establishments in the
city; and
(10) That certain sexually oriented businesses involving touching between employees
and clients (sexual encounter center, sexually oriented entertainment studio,
sexually oriented motels, sexually oriented video viewing arcades, bath houses,
body painting studios, and massage parlors) promote prostitution and other
criminal behavior and thus the touching between employees and clients of a
sexually oriented business should be prohibited.
(c) Based on evidence concerning the adverse secondary effects of sexually oriented
businesses on the community presented in hearings and in reports made available to the Council,
and on findings incorporated in the cases of City of Renton v. Playtime Theatres, Inc., 475 U.S.
41 (1986); Young v. American Mini Theatres, 427 U.S. 50 (1976); FW/PBS, Inc. v. City of
Dallas, 493 U.S. 215 (1990); Barnes v. Glen Theatre, Inc., 501 U.S. 560 (1991); City of Erie v.
Pap's A.M., 529 U.S. 277, 120 S. Ct. 1382 (2000); City of Los Angeles v. Alameda Books, Inc.,
122 S. Ct. 1728 (2002); Baby Dolls Topless Saloons, Inc. v. City of Dallas, 295 F.3d 471 (5th
Cir. 2002); LLEH, Inc. v. Wichita County, Texas, 289 F.3d 358 (5th Cir. 2002); Mitchell v.
Commission on Adult Entertainment, 10 F.3d 123 (3rd Cir. 1993); Schultz v. City of Cumberland,
228 F.3d 831 (7th Cir. 2000); Hang On, Inc. v. City of Arlington, 65 F.3d 1248 (5th Cir. 1995);
2300, Inc. v. City of Arlington, 888 S.W.2d 123 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth, 1994); Colacurcio v.
City of Kent, 163 F.3d 545 (9th Cir. 1998), cert denied, 529 U.S. 1053 (2000); Kev, Inc. v. Kitsap
County, 793 F.2d 1053 (9th Cir. 1986); Center for Fair Public Policy v. Maricopa County, 336
F.3d 1153 (9th Cir. 2003); DLS, Inc. v. Chattanooga, 107 F.3d 403 (6th Cir. 1997); Jake's, Ltd.,
Inc. v. Coates, 384 F.3d 884 (8th Cir. 2002); and on studies, reports and/or testimony in other
communities including, but not limited to: Phoenix, Arizona; Minneapolis, Minnesota; St. Paul,
Minnesota; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Garden
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Grove, California; Los Angeles, California; Whittier, California; Austin, Texas; Seattle,
Washington; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Cleveland, Ohio; Beaumont, Texas; Newport News,
Virginia; Bellevue, Washington; New York, New York; St. Croix County, Wisconsin; Kitsap
CountY Washington; Los Angeles California
Police Department (dated August 12, 2003);
Arlington, Texas, License and Amortization Appeal Board hearings, 2001 and 2002; Arlington
Community Health Profile (dated July 2003); a summary of land use studies compiled by the
National Law Center for Children and Families; and also on findings from the Report of the
Attorney General's Working Group On The Regulation Of Sexually Oriented Businesses (June 6,
1989, State of Minnesota), and the study entitled Survey of Texas Appraisers - Secondary Effects
of Sexually-Oriented Businesses on Market Values by Cooper and Kelley and Crime-Related
Secondary Effects - Secondary Effects of "Off-Site" Sexually-Oriented Businesses by McCleary,
June 2008, the Council finds that:
(1) Sexually oriented businesses lend themselves to ancillary unlawful and unhealthy
activities that are presently uncontrolled by the operators of the establishments.
Further, absent municipal regulation aimed at reducing adverse secondary effects
there is no mechanism to make the owners of these establishments responsible
for the activities that occur on their premises;
(2) Certain employees of sexually oriented businesses, defined in this article as
sexually oriented theater, nude model business, escort agency, and sexually
oriented cabaret, engage in higher incidence of certain types of illicit sexual
behavior than employees of other establishments;
(3) Sexual acts, including masturbation, prostitution, sexual contact, and oral and
anal sex, occur at sexually oriented businesses, especially those which provide
private or semi-private booths or cubicles, or rooms for viewing films, videos, or
live sex shows;
(4) Offering and providing private or semi-private areas in sexually oriented
businesses encourages such sexual activities, which creates unhealthy conditions;
(5) Persons frequent certain sexually oriented theaters, sexually oriented arcades, and
other sexually oriented businesses for the purpose of engaging in sex within the
premises of such sexually oriented businesses;
(6) Engaging in physical contact at a sexually oriented business is not a form of
expression protected by the First Amendment;
(7) At least 50 communicable diseases may be spread by activities occurring in
sexually oriented businesses, including, but not limited to, syphilis, gonorrhea,
human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV-AIDS), genital herpes, hepatitis
B, Non A, Non B amebiasis, salmonella infections and shigella infections;
(8) Since 1981 and to the present, there has been an increasing cumulative number of
reported cases of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) caused by the
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human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States: 600 in 1982; 2,200 in
1983; 4,600 in 1984; 8,555 in 1985, and 253,448 through December 31, 1992;
(9) As of December 31, 2001, there have been 57,199 reported cases of AIDS in the
State of Texas;
(10) Since the early 1980s and to the present, there has been an increasing cumulative
number of persons testing positive for the HIV antibody test in Tarrant County,
Texas and across the State of Texas;
(11) The number of cases of early (less than one year) syphilis in the United States
reported annually has risen, with 33,613 cases reported in 1982, and 45,200
through November, 1990. According to Texas Department of Health records
there were 1,175 cases of early syphilis reported in the State of Texas during
2000 and an additional 972 cases reported in 2001;
(12) The number of cases of gonorrhea in the United States reported annually remains
at a high level, with over one-half million cases being reported in 1990. Again,
according to Texas Department of Health records there were 32,895 cases of
gonorrhea reported in the State of Texas during 2000 and an additional 30,116
cases reported in 2001. During the same time period there were also 138,692
cases of Chlamydia reported in the State of Texas. [Arlington Community
Health Profile (dated July 2003)];
(13) In his report of October 22, 1986, the Surgeon General of the United States has
advised the American public that AIDS and HIV infection may be transmitted
through sexual contact, intravenous drug abuse, exposure to infected blood and
blood components, and from an infected mother to her newborn;
(14) According to the best scientific evidence, AIDS and HIV infection, as well as
syphilis and gonorrhea, are principally transmitted by sexual acts;
(15) Sanitary conditions in some sexually oriented businesses are unhealthy, in part,
because the activities conducted there are unhealthy, and, in part, because of the
unregulated nature of the activities and the failure of the owners and the operators
of the facilities to self-regulate those activities and maintain those facilities;
(16) Numerous studies and reports have determined that semen is found in the areas of
sexually oriented businesses where persons view "sexually oriented" films;
(17) Numerous studies and reports have determined that areas surrounding sexually
oriented businesses experience increased criminal activity, including increased
property crimes, violent crimes, and sex crimes;
(18) Sexually oriented businesses have operational characteristics which should be
reasonably regulated in order to protect substantial governmental concerns;
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(19) A reasonable licensing procedure is an appropriate mechanism to place the
burden of that reasonable regulation on the owners and the operators of the
sexually oriented businesses. Further, such a licensing procedure will place an
incentive on the operators to see that the sexually oriented business is run in a
manner consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of its patrons and
employees, as well as the citizens of the City. It is appropriate to require
reasonable assurances that the licensee is the actual operator of the sexually
oriented business, fully in possession and control of the premises and activities
occurring therein;
(20) Removal of doors on booths and requiring sufficient lighting on premises with
booths advances a substantial governmental interest in curbing the illegal and
unsanitary sexual activity occurring in sexually oriented theaters;
(21) Requiring licensees of sexually oriented businesses to keep information regarding
current employees and certain past employees will help reduce the incidence of
certain types of criminal behavior by facilitating the identification of potential
witnesses or suspects and by preventing minors from working in such
establishments;
(22) The disclosure of certain information by those persons ultimately responsible for
the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the sexually oriented business,
where such information is substantially related to the significant governmental
interest in the operation of such uses, will aid in preventing the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases;
(23) In the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases, it is desirable to obtain
a limited amount of information regarding certain employees who may engage in
the conduct that this ordinance is designed to prevent, or who are likely to be
witnesses to such conduct;
(24) The fact that an applicant for a sexually oriented business license has been
convicted of a sexually related crime leads to the rational assumption that the
applicant may engage in that conduct in contravention of this ordinance. There is
a correlation between sexually oriented businesses, specifically their hours of
operation and the type of people which such businesses attract, and higher crime
rates. [Baby Dolls Topless Saloons, Inc. v. City of Dallas, 295 F.3d 471 (5th Cir.
2002)];
(25) The barring of such individuals from the management of sexually oriented
businesses for a period of years serves as a deterrent to, and prevents conduct
which leads to, the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases;
(26) It is reasonably believed that to better protect the public health, safety, and
welfare, it is necessary to adopt additional amendments to this chapter;
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(27) It is reasonably believed that to prevent the exploitation of a loophole in the
ordinance (which would have permitted such businesses to avoid the location
restrictions), partially nude performances in such businesses are also included
within the purview of the regulations, since they have the same harmful
secondary effects on the surrounding community as sexually oriented businesses
currently regulated under the ordinance. [Baby Dolls Topless Saloons, Inc. v.
City of Dallas, 295 F.3d 471 (5th Cir. 2002)];
(28) There is no Constitutional right for sexually oriented business employees in a
state of nudity to touch customers. [Hang On, Inc. v. City of Arlington, 65 F.3d
1248 (5th Cir. 1995)];
(29) One court has characterized the acts of sexually oriented business employees in a
state of nudity and being paid to touch or be touched by customers as
prostitution. [People v. Hill, 2002 Ill. App. LEXIS 792 (Ill. App. 2 Dist. Sep. 4,
2002); see also, Tex. Penal Code Sections 43.01 ("sexual conduct" and "sexual
contact") and 43.02 ("prostitution")];
(30) Sexually Oriented Businesses have not complied with the "no touch" provisions,
but have flagrantly disregarded them and/or encouraged employees and customers
to violate the "no touch" provision.
(31) Provocative touching between customers and employees in a Sexually Oriented
Business where at least one is in a state of nudity frequently leads to the
commission of sex crimes, illegal drug use, and increased health risks due to
sexually transmitted diseases.
(32) Compelling signage at the entrances of Sexually Oriented Businesses has not been
effective in halting "no touch" violations.
(33) The City of Arlington has had to expend considerable law enforcement resources
to enforce the "no touch" provisions.
(34) The City Council reasonably believes that requiring employees in a state of
nudity to be physically separated from customers by the use of elevated stages
and buffer zones is necessary to better ensure ordinance compliance while still
not inhibiting constitutionally protected expressive conduct or speech. [LLEH,
Inc. v. Wichita County, Texas, 289 F.3d 358 (5th Cir. 2002)];
(35) The City Council reasonably believes that sexual activity occurring in private
viewing booths at sexually oriented businesses leads to unhealthy and unsanitary
conditions and to the transmission of sexually transmitted and other
communicable diseases; [Matney v. County of Kenosha, 86 F.3d 692, 695 (7th
Cir. 1996)];
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(36) The City Council reasonably believes that certain negative secondary effects,
including prostitution, drug trafficking and assaultive offenses are associated
with nude or semi-nude dancing in environments where alcohol is served or
allowed. [J.L. Spoons, Inc. v. Dragani, 538 F.3d 379, 382 (6th Cir. 2008)];
(37) The City Council reasonably believes that the licensing and permit requirements
imposed on sexually oriented businesses that offer on-site entertainment comport
with the prompt judicial review and preservation of the status quo requirements
enunciated by the United States Supreme Court, and thus do not constitute an
unconstitutional prior restraint. [Richland Bookmart, Inc. v. Knox County, Tenn.,
2009 FED App. 0052P (6th Cir. 2009)];
(38) It is reasonably believed by the City Council that the general welfare, health, and
safety of the citizens of the City will be promoted by the enactment of this
ordinance;
(39) It is reasonably believed by the City Council that adequate sites are reasonably
available for sexually oriented businesses that meet licensing and otherwise
applicable requirements to locate and operate in the City of The Colony; and
(40) The findings noted in Subsections (1) through (39) raise substantial governmental
concerns.
Sec. 13-123. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases when used in this article, shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Adult arcade means any place to which the public is permitted or invited wherein coin-operated
or slug-operated or electronically, electrically, or mechanically controlled still or motion picture
machines, projectors, or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or
fewer persons per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished
or characterized by the depicting or describing of "specified sexual activities" or "specified
anatomical areas."
Adult cabaret means a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial establishment which
regularly features:
(1) Persons who appear in a state of nudity; or
(2) Live performances which are characterized by the exposure of "specified
anatomical areas" or by "specified sexual activities"; or
(3) Films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic
reproductions which are characterized by the depiction or description of
"specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."
Adult motel means a hotel, motel or similar commercial establishment which:
(1) Offers accommodations to the public for any form of consideration; provides
patrons with closed-circuit television transmissions, films, motion pictures, video
cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions which are characterized by
the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified
anatomical areas"; and has a sign visible from the public right-of-way which
advertises the availability of this type of photographic reproductions; or
(2) Offers a sleeping room for rent for a period of time that is less than ten hours; or
(3) Allows a tenant or occupant of a sleeping room to subrent the room for a period
of time that is less than ten hours.
Adult motion picture theater means a commercial establishment where, for any form of
consideration, films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or similar photographic
reproductions are regularly shown which are characterized by the depiction or description of
"specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas.
Adult theater means a theater, concert hall, auditorium, or similar commercial establishment
which regularly features persons who appear in a state of nudity or seminudity or live
performances which are characterized by the exposure of "specified anatomical areas" or by
"specified sexual activities."
Applicant means a person who must apply for a license pursuant to this article.
Chief of police means the chief of police of the city or his designated agent.
Child care facility means a building used as a day nursery, children's boarding home, child
placing agency, or other place for the care or custody of children under 15 years of age.
Church or place of religious worship means a building in which persons regularly assemble for
worship, intended primarily for purposes connected with faith, or for propagating a particular
form of belief.
Escort means a person who, for consideration, agrees or offers to act as a companion, guide, or
date for another person, or who agrees or offers to privately model lingerie or to privately
perform a striptease for another person.
Escort agency means a person or business association who furnishes, offers to furnish, or
advertises to furnish escorts as one of its primary business purposes, for a fee, tip, or other
consideration.
Establishment means and includes any of the following:
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(1) The opening or commencement of any sexually oriented business as a new
business;
(2) The conversion of any existing business, whether or not a sexually oriented
business, to any sexually oriented business;
(3) The addition of any sexually oriented business to any other existing sexually
oriented business; or
(4) The relocation of any sexually oriented business.
Licensee means a person in whose name a license to operate a sexually oriented business has
been issued, as well as the individual listed as an applicant on the application for a license or a
person licensed under this article.
Media, Sexual Oriented means magazines, books, videotapes, movies, slides, CD's, DVD's or
other devices used to record computer images, or other media which are distinguished or
characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or relating to "Specified sexual
activities" or "specified anatomical areas".
Media Store, Sexually Oriented means an establishment that rents and/or sells sexually oriented
media, and that meets any of the following three tests:
(1) More than forty percent (40%) of the gross public floor area is devoted to sexually
oriented media;
(2) More than forty percent (40%) of the stock in trade consists of sexually oriented
media; or
(3) It advertises or holds itself out in any forum as a "XXX", "adult" or "sex"
business, or otherwise as a sexually oriented business, other than adult cabaret,
adult motion picture theater or adult theater.
Nude model studio means any place where a person who appears in a state of nudity or displays
"specified anatomical areas" is provided to be observed, sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured,
photographed, or similarly depicted by other persons who pay money or any form of
consideration.
Nudity or a state of nudity means:
(1) The appearance of a human bare buttock, anus, male genitals, female genitals,
pubic region or female breasts; or
(2) A state of dress which fails to opaquely cover a human buttock, anus, male
genitals, female genitals, pubic region or areola of the female breast.
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Person means an individual, proprietorship, trust, partnership, corporation, association, or other
legal entity.
Public park means a tract of land maintained by or at the direction of the federal, state, or a local
government for the recreational use and enjoyment of the general public.
Principal business means an establishment having a 20 percent or greater interest of its stock and
trade in books, magazines and other periodicals of which such books, magazines and other
periodicals are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matters depicting, describing
or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas," or a 20 percent or
greater interest in other sexually related activities as defined by this article.
Residential use means a single-family, duplex, multiple-family, or mobile home park, mobile
home subdivision, and campground used as a residence.
School means any public or private nursery, preschool, day care center, learning center,
elementary or secondary school.
Seminude means a state of dress in which clothing covers no more than the genitals, pubic
region, and areola of the female breast, as well as portions of the body covered by supporting
straps or devices.
Sex shop means an establishment offering goods for sale or rent and that meet any of the
following tests:
(1) It offers for sale items from any two (2) of the following categories: sexually
oriented media; lingerie; leather goods marketed or presented in a context to
suggest their use for sadomasochistic practices; sexually oriented novelties; and
the combination of such items constitute more than ten percent (10%) of its stock
in trade or occupies more than 10 percent (10%) of its floor area;
(2) More than five percent (5%) of its stock in trade consists of sexually-oriented toys
or novelties; or
(3) More than five percent (5%) of its gross public floor area is devoted to the display
of sexually oriented toys or novelties.
Sexual encounter center means a business or commercial enterprise that, as one of its primary
business purposes, offers for any form of consideration:
(1) Physical contact in the form of wrestling or tumbling between persons of the
opposite sex; or
(2) Activities between male and female persons and/or persons of the same sex when
one or more of the persons is in a state of nudity or seminude.
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Sexually oriented business means an inclusive term used to describe collectively the following
businesses: adult arcade, sexually oriented media store, adult cabaret, adult motel, adult motion
picture theatre, adult theatre, escort agency, sex shop, nude model studio, or sexual encounter
center.
Specified anatomical areas include:
(1) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, pubic region, or the
areola or nipple of the female breasts; and
(2) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, even if completely and
opaquelt covered; and
(3) Areas of the human anatomy included in the definition of "nudity or state of
nudity."
Specified sexual activities means acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or sodomy.
These activities include, but are not limited to the following: bestiality, erotic or sexual
stimulation with objects or mechanical devices, acts of human analingus, cunnilingus, fellatio,
flagellation, masturbation, sadism, sadomasochism, sexual intercourse, sodomy, or any excretory
functions as part of or in connection with any of the activities set forth above with any person on
the premises. This definition shall include apparent sexual stimulation of another person's
genitals whether clothed or unclothed.
Substantial enlargement of a sexually oriented business means the increase in floor area
occupied by the business by more than 20 percent, as the floor area exists on the effective date of
this article.
Transfer of ownership or control of a sexually oriented business means and includes any of the
following:
(1) The sale, lease, or sublease of the business;
(2) The transfer of securities or other ownership interest which constitute a direct,
indirect, legal, equitable or beneficial controlling interest in the business, whether
by sale, exchange, or similar means; or
(3) The establishment of a trust, gift, or other similar device which transfers the
direct, indirect, legal, equitable or beneficial ownership or control of the business,
except for transfer by bequest or other operation of law upon the death of the
person possessing the ownership or control to a person meeting all of the
requirements of section hereof, who shall have notified the chief of police of the
transfer and furnished all of the information required to be submitted in an
application for a license, within 60 days of the transfer.
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Sec. 13-124. Classification.
Sexually oriented businesses are classified as follows:
(1) Adult arcades;
(2) Sexually oriented media store;
(3) Adult cabarets;
(4) Adult motels;
(5) Adult motion picture theaters;
(6) Adult theaters;
(7) Escort agencies;
(8) Nude modeling studios;
(9) Sexual encounter centers; and/or
(10) Sex shops.
Sec. 13-125. License required.
(a) A person commits an offense if he operates a sexually oriented business without a valid
license, issued by the city for the particular type of sexually oriented business.
(b) An individual person who wishes to operate a sexually oriented business must sign the
application for a license as an applicant. If a person who wishes to operate a sexually oriented
business is other than an individual, each individual who has a twenty percent (20%) or greater
interest in the business must sign the application for a license as an applicant. Each applicant
must be qualified under section 13-126 and each applicant shall be considered a licensee if a
license is granted.
(c) An application for a sexually oriented business license must be made on a form provided
by the chief of police. The application must be accompanied by a sketch or diagram showing the
configuration of the premises, including a statement of total floor space occupied by the
business. The sketch or diagram need not be professionally prepared but must be drawn to a
designated scale or drawn with marked dimensions of the interior of the premises to an accuracy
of plus or minus six inches. Applicants who must comply with section 13-140 of this article shall
submit a diagram meeting the requirements in section 13-140. All locational requirements must
be approved by the chief of police within 30 days from the time the application is filed.
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(d) The applicant for a sexually oriented business license must be qualified according to the
provisions of this article and the premises must be inspected and found to be in compliance with
the law by the health department, building inspection department and fire department. The health
department, building inspection department and fire department must complete their inspections
and report their findings to the chief of police within 30 days from the time the application is
filed.
(e) If a person who wishes to operate a sexually oriented business is an individual, he must
sign the application for a license as applicant. If a person who wishes to operate a sexually
oriented business is other than an individual, each individual who has an interest in the business
must sign the application for a license as applicant and shall be considered a licensee if a license
is granted.
(f) The fact that a person possesses any other valid license required by law does not exempt
him from the requirement of obtaining a sexually oriented business license. A person who
operates a sexually oriented business and possesses another business license shall comply with
the requirements and provisions of this article as well as the requirements and provisions of the
city's Charter when applicable.
(g) Each applicant shall attach two copies of a recent photograph to his application form.
(h) An applicant for a license issued under this article for a location not previously licensed
or permitted shall, not later than the 60th day before the date the application is filed, prominently
post an outdoor sign at the location stating that a sexually oriented business is intended to be
located on the premises and providing the name and business address of the applicant. The sign
must be at least 24 by 36 inches in size and must be written in lettering at least two inches in
size. The city may require the sign to be both in English and a language other than English if it is
likely that a substantial number of the residents in the area speak a language other than English
as their familiar language. The signs must be of sufficient quantities to be placed upon the
property so as to identify it as being subject to a proposed sexually oriented business license. It
shall be the duty of each applicant as to each particular application to erect said signs along all
the property's public road or highway frontage so as to be clearly visible from the public road or
highway. If a property does not have a public road or highway frontage, then signs shall be
placed upon the closest available right-of-way and upon the property. One sign shall be erected
for each 300-hundred-foot increment of each public road or highway frontage on said property
existing or any part thereof. Said signs shall be erected not less than 14 days after the filing of the
application for the sexually oriented business license and remain erected until the application has
been approved by the chief of police.
(i) Every applicant for a sexually oriented business license shall give notice of the
application by publication at his own expense in two consecutive issues of a newspaper of
general circulation published in Denton County, Texas. The notice shall be printed in 10-point
boldface type and shall include:
(1) The fact that a sexually oriented business license has been applied for;
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(2) The exact location of the place of business for which the permit is sought;
(3) The names of each owner of the business and, if the business is operated under an
assumed name, the trade name together with the names of all owners; and
(4) If the applicant is a corporation, the names and titles of all officers.
(j) An applicant for a renewal permit is not required to publish notice or meet the posting
requirements of subsections (i) and 0) above.
(k) The owner shall provide a list of all employees who will be employed by the sexually
oriented business to the chief of police. This list shall be maintained on file by the police
department. It shall be the duty of the owner to ensure that an updated list of the employees is
provided to the chief of police within ten (10) days following any change in employees. Failure
to provide an updated list to the chief of police shall result in suspension of license pursuant to
section 13-130.
Sec. 13-126. Issuance of license.
(a) The chief of police shall approve the issuance of a license to an applicant within 30 days
after receipt of an application unless the chief of police finds one or more of the following to be
true:
(1) An applicant is under 18 years of age.
(2) An applicant or an applicant's spouse is overdue in his payment to the city of
taxes, fees, fines, or penalties assessed against him or imposed upon him in
relation to a sexually oriented business.
(3) An applicant has failed to provide information reasonably necessary for issuance
of the license or has falsely answered a question or request for information on the
application form.
(4) An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a violation of a
provision of this article, other than the offense of operating a sexually oriented
business without a license, within two years immediately preceding the
application. The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect.
(5) The premises to be used for the sexually oriented business are not in compliance
with applicable zoning laws or have not been approved by the city health
department, the city fire department, and the city building official as being in
compliance with applicable laws and ordinances;
(6) The license fee required by this article has not been paid;
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(7) An applicant or the proposed establishment is in violation of or is not in
compliance with sections 13-128, 13-133, 13-134, 13-136, 13-137, 13-138, 13-
139, 13-140, or 13-141.
(8) An applicant or an applicant's spouse has been convicted of a crime:
a. Involving:
1. Any of the following offenses as described in V.T.C.A., Penal
Code ch. 43:
(i) Prostitution;
(ii) Promotion of prostitution;
(iii) Aggravated promotion of prostitution;
(iv) Compelling prostitution;
(v) Obscenity;
(vi) Sale, distribution, or display of harmful material to minor;
(vii) Sexual performance by a child;
(viii) Possession or promotion of child pornography;
2. Any of the following offenses as described in V.T.C.A., Penal
Code ch. 21:
(i) Public lewdness;
(ii) Indecent exposure;
(iii) Indecency with a child;
3. Sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault as described in V.T.C.A.,
Penal Code ch. 22;
4. Prohibited sexual conduct, enticing a child, or harboring runaway child as
described in V.T.C.A., Penal Code ch. 25;
5. Criminal attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the
foregoing offenses;
b. For which:
1. Less than two years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date
of release from confinement imposed for the conviction, whichever is the
later date, if the conviction is of a misdemeanor offense;
2. Less than five years have elapsed since the date of conviction or the date
of release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is the later
date, if the conviction is of a felony offense; or
3. Less than five years have elapsed since the date of the last conviction or
the date of release from confinement for the last conviction, whichever is
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the later date, if the convictions are of two or more misdemeanor offenses
or combination of misdemeanor offenses occurring within any 24-month
period.
(9) An applicant has been employed in a sexually oriented business in a managerial
capacity within the preceding 12 months and has demonstrated an inability to
operate or manage a sexually oriented business premises in a peaceful and law-
abiding manner, thus necessitating action by law enforcement officers.
(b) The license, if granted, shall state on its face the name of the person or persons to whom
it is granted, the expiration date, and the address of the sexually oriented business. The license
shall be posted in a conspicuous place at or near the entrance to the sexually oriented business so
that it may be easily read at any time.
(c) The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the disqualification of
the applicant or applicant's spouse.
(d) An applicant who has been convicted or whose spouse has been convicted of an offense
listed in subsection (a)(8)(a) may qualify for a sexually oriented business license only when the
time period required by subsection (a)(8)(b) has elapsed.
(e) The chief of police, upon receipt of the application outlined in section 13-126(a), shall
forward said application to the appropriate officials in the city's health, fire and building
inspection departments for their review and inspections. Said departments shall be responsible
for initiating the inspections as outlined in section 13-125(d).
Sec. 13-127. Fees.
The annual nonrefundable fee for a sexually oriented business license as established by
resolution of the city council shall be submitted with the application for a license. In the event a
license is not issued after an application is submitted, or if a license is revoked after it is issued,
no part of the fee shall be refunded.
Sec. 13-128. Inspection.
(a) An applicant or licensee shall permit representatives of the police department, health
department, fire department, housing and neighborhood services department, and building
inspection department to inspect the premises of a sexually oriented business for the purpose of
ensuring compliance with the law, at any time it is occupied or open for business.
(b) A person who operates a sexually oriented business or his agent or employee commits an
offense if he refuses to permit a lawful inspection of the premises by a representative of the
above described departments at any time it is occupied or open for business.
(c) The provisions of this section do not apply to areas of an adult motel which are currently
being rented by a customer for use as a permanent or temporary habitation.
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Sec. 13-129. Expiration of license.
(a) Each license shall expire one year from the date of issuance and may be renewed only by
making application as provided in section 13-125. Application for renewal should be made at
least 30 days before the expiration date, and when made less than 30 days before the expiration
date, the expiration of the license will not be affected.
(b) When the chief of police denies renewal of a license, the applicant shall not be issued a
license for one year from the date of denial. If, subsequent to denial, the chief of police finds that
the basis for denial of the renewal license has been corrected or abated, the applicant may be
granted a license if at least 90 days have elapsed since the date denial became final.
Sec. 13-130. Suspension.
The chief of police shall suspend a license for a period not to exceed 30 days if he
determines that a licensee or an employee of a licensee has:
(1) Violated or is not in compliance with sections 13-125(k), 13-128, 13-133, 13-134,
13-136, 13-137, 13-138, 13-139, 13-140, or 13-141 of this article;
(2) Engaged in excessive use of alcoholic beverages while on the sexually oriented
business premises;
(3) Refused to allow an inspection of the sexually oriented business premises as
authorized by this article;
(4) Knowingly permitted gambling by any person on the sexually oriented business
premises; or
(5) Demonstrated inability to operate or manage a sexually oriented business in a
peaceful and law-abiding manner thus necessitating action by law enforcement
officers.
Sec. 13-131. Revocation.
(a) The chief of police shall revoke a license if a cause of suspension in section 13-130
occurs and the license has been suspended within the preceding 12 months.
(b) The chief of police shall revoke a license if he determines that:
(1) A licensee gave false or misleading information in the material submitted to the
chief of police during the application process;
(2) A licensee or an employee has knowingly allowed possession, use, or sale of
controlled substances on the premises;
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(3) A licensee or an employee has knowingly allowed prostitution on the premises;
(4) A licensee or an employee knowingly operated the sexually oriented business
during a period of time when the licensee's license was suspended;
(5) A licensee has been convicted of an offense listed in section 13-126(a)(8)(a) for
which the time period required in section 13-126(a)(8)(b) has not elapsed;
(6) On two or more occasions within a 12-month period, a person or persons
committed an offense occurring in or on the licensed premises of a crime listed in
section 13-126(a)(8)(a), for which a conviction has been obtained, and the person
or persons were employees of the sexually oriented business at the time the
offense was committed;
(7) A licensee or an employee has knowingly allowed any act of sexual intercourse,
sodomy, oral copulation, masturbation, or sexual contact to occur in or on the
licensed premises. The term "sexual contact" shall have the same meaning as it is
defined in V.T.C.A., Penal Code § 21.01; or
(8) A licensee is delinquent in payment to the city for hotel occupancy taxes, ad
valorem taxes, or sales taxes related to the sexually oriented business.
(c) The fact that a conviction is being appealed shall have no effect on the revocation of the
license.
(d) Subsection (b)(7) does not apply to adult motels as a ground for revoking the license
unless the licensee or employee knowingly allowed the act of sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral
copulation, masturbation, or sexual contact to occur in a public place or within public view.
(e) When the chief of police revokes a license, the revocation shall continue for one year and
the licensee shall not be issued a sexually oriented business license for one year from the date
revocation became effective. If, subsequent to revocation, the chief of police finds that the basis
for the revocation has been corrected or abated, the applicant may be granted a license if at least
90 days have elapsed since the date the revocation became effective. If the license was revoked
under subsection (b)(5), an applicant may not be granted another license until the appropriate
number of years required under section 13-126(a)(8)(b) has elapsed since the termination of any
sentence, parole, or probation.
Sec. 13-132. Appeal.
If the chief of police denies the issuance of a license, or suspends or revokes a license, the chief
of police shall send to the applicant, or licensee, by certified mail, return receipt requested,
written notice of the action and the right to an appeal. Upon receipt of written notice of the
denial, suspension, or revocation, the licensee whose application for a license has been denied or
whose license has been suspended or revoked shall have the right to appeal to the district court.
The licensee shall bear the burden of proof in court.
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Sec. 13-133. Transfer of license.
A licensee including any applicant for a license shall not transfer his license or any part of his
ownership or control of a sexually oriented business to another, nor shall a licensee operate a
sexually oriented business under the authority of a license at any place other than the address
designated in the application.
Sec. 13-134. Location of sexually oriented businesses.
(a) A person commits an offense if he operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented
business within 1,000 feet of:
(1) A church or place of religious worship;
(2) A public or private elementary or secondary school;
(3) A child care facility;
(4) A boundary of a residential district as defined by the zoning ordinance of the city;
(5) A public park;
(6) The property line of a lot devoted to a residential use as defined in this article; or
(7) Another sexually oriented business which does not have a common entrance with
one.
(b) A person commits an offense if he causes or permits the operation, establishment,
substantial enlargement, or transfer of ownership or control of a sexually oriented business
located within 1,000 feet of another sexually oriented business.
(c) A person commits an offense if he causes or permits the operation, establishment, or
maintenance of more than one sexually oriented business in the same building, structure, or
portion thereof, or the increase of floor area of any sexually oriented business in any building,
structure, or portion thereof containing another sexually oriented business.
(d) For the purposes of subsection (a), measurement shall be made in a straight line, without
regard to intervening structures or objects, from the nearest portion of the building or structure
used as a part of the premises where a sexually oriented business is conducted, to the nearest
property line of the premises of a church or place of religious worship, or public or private
elementary or secondary school, or to the nearest boundary of an affected public park, residential
district, or residential lot.
(e) For purposes of subsection (b) of this section, the distance between any two sexually
oriented businesses shall be measured in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures
or objects, from the closest exterior wall of the structure in which each business is located.
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(f) Any sexually oriented business operating in violation of subsections (a), (b), or (c) of this
section shall be deemed a nonconforming use. The nonconforming use will be permitted to
continue for a period not to exceed one year, unless sooner terminated for any reason or
voluntarily discontinued for a period of 30 days or more. Such nonconforming uses shall not be
increased, enlarged, extended or altered except that the use may be changed to a conforming use.
If two or more sexually oriented businesses are within 1,000 feet of one another and otherwise in
a permissible location, the sexually oriented business which was first established and continually
operating at a particular location is the conforming use and the later-established business is
nonconforming.
(g) A sexually oriented business lawfully operating as a conforming use is not rendered a
nonconforming use by the location, subsequent to the grant or renewal of the sexually oriented
business license, of a church or place of religious worship, public or private elementary or
secondary school, public park, residential district, or residential lot within 1,000 feet of the
sexually oriented business. This subsection applies only to the renewal of a valid license, and
does not apply when an application for a license is submitted after a license has expired or has
been revoked.
(h) All locational requirements of this section must be approved by the chief of police within
30 days from the time the application is filed.
Sec. 13-135. Exemptions from location restrictions.
(a) If the chief of police denies the issuance of a license to an applicant because the location
of the sexually oriented business establishment is in violation of section 13-134 of this article,
then the applicant may, not later than ten calendar days after receiving notice of the denial, file
with the city secretary a written request for an exemption from the locational restrictions of
section 13-134.
(b) If the written request is filed with the city secretary within the ten-day limit, the city
council shall consider the request. The city secretary shall set a date for the hearing within 60
days from the date the written request is received.
(c) A hearing by the council may proceed if a quorum is present. The council shall hear and
consider evidence offered by any interested person. The formal rules of evidence do not apply.
(d) The city council may, in its discretion, grant an exemption from the locational restrictions
of section 13-134 if it makes the following findings:
(1) That the location of the proposed sexually oriented business will not have a
detrimental effect on nearby properties or be contrary to the public safety or
welfare;
(2) That the granting of the exemption will not violate the spirit and intent of this
article of the city Code;
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(3) That the location of the proposed sexually oriented business will not downgrade
the property values or quality of life in the adjacent areas or encourage the
development of urban blight;
(4) That the location of an additional sexually oriented business in the area will not be
contrary to any program of neighborhood conservation nor will it interfere with
any efforts of urban renewal or restoration; and
(5) That all other applicable provisions of this article will be observed.
(e) The city council shall grant or deny the exemption by a majority vote. Failure to reach a
majority vote shall result in denial of the exemption. Disputes of fact shall be decided on the
basis of a preponderance of the evidence. Decisions of the city council are appealable to a district
court of this county. Appeals from the final decision of the city must be made in writing to a
district court of this county within 30 days from the date of the final decision of the city council.
After 30 days, all decisions of the city council become final.
(f) If the council grants the exemption, the exemption is valid for one year from the date of
the council's action. Upon the expiration of an exemption, the sexually oriented business is in
violation of the locational restrictions of section 13-134 until the applicant applies for and
receives another exemption.
(g) If the council denies the exemption, the applicant may not reapply for an exemption until
at least 12 months have elapsed since the date of the council's action.
(h) The grant of an exemption does not exempt the applicant from any other provisions of
this article other than the locational restrictions of section 13-134.
(i) The following are exempt from regulation under this chapter:
(1) A bookstore, movie theater, or video store, unless that business is an adult
bookstore, adult movie theater, or adult video store the primary purpose of which
is the selling, renting, or exhibiting of devices or any other items intended to
provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the customer;
(2) A business operated by or employing a licensed psychologist, licensed physical
therapist, licensed athletic trainer, licensed cosmetologist, or licensed barber
engaged in performing the functions authorized under the license held; or
(3) A business operated by or employing a licensed physician or licensed chiropractor
engaged in practicing the healing arts.
Sec. 13-136. Additional regulations for escort agencies.
(a) An escort agency shall not employ any person under the age of 18 years.
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(b) A person commits an offense if he acts as an escort or agrees to act as an escort for any
person under the age of 18 years.
Sec. 13-137. Additional regulations for nude model studios.
(a) A nude model studio shall not employ any person under the age of 18 years.
(b) A person under the age of 18 years commits an offense if he appears in a state of nudity
in or on the premises of a nude model studio. It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection
if the person under 18 years was in a restroom not open to public view or persons of the opposite
sex.
(c) A person commits an offense if he appears in a state of nudity or knowingly allows
another to appear in a state of nudity in an area of a nude model studio premises which can be
viewed from the public right-of-way.
(d) A nude model studio shall not place or permit a bed, sofa, or mattress in any room on the
premises, except that a sofa may be placed in a reception room open to the public.
Sec. 13-138. Additional regulations for adult theaters and adult motion picture theaters.
(a) A person commits an offense if he knowingly allows a person under the age of 18 years
to appear in a state of nudity in or on the premises of an adult theater or adult motion picture
theater.
(b) A person under the age of 18 years commits an offense if he knowingly appears in a state
of nudity in or on the premises of an adult theater or adult motion picture theater.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under subsections (a) and (b) of this section if the person
under 18 years was in a restroom not open to public view or persons of the opposite sex.
Sec. 13-139. Additional regulations for adult motels.
(a) Evidence that a sleeping room in a hotel, motel, or similar commercial establishment has
been rented and vacated two or more times in a period of time that is less than ten hours creates a
rebuttable presumption that the establishment is an adult motel as that term is defined in this
article.
(b) A person commits an offense if, as the person in control of a sleeping room in a hotel,
motel, or similar commercial establishment that does not have a sexually oriented business
license, he rents or subrents a sleeping room to a person and, within ten hours from the time the
room is rented, he rents or subrents the same sleeping room again.
(c) For purposes of subsection (b) of this section, the terms "rent" or "subrent" mean the act
of permitting a room to be occupied for any form of consideration.
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Sec. 13-140. Regulations pertaining to exhibition of sexually explicit films or videos.
(a) A person who operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business, other than
an adult motel, which exhibits on the premises in a viewing room of not less than one 150 square
feet of floor space, a film, video cassette, or other video reproduction which depicts specified
sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Upon application for a sexually oriented license, the application shall be
accompanied by a diagram of the premises showing a plan thereof specifying the
location of one or more manager's stations and the location of all overhead
lighting fixtures and designating any portion of the premises in which patrons will
not be permitted. A manager's station may not exceed 32 square feet of floor area.
The diagram shall also designate the place at which the permit will be
conspicuously posted, if granted. A professionally prepared diagram in the nature
of an engineer's or architect's blueprint shall not be required; however, each
diagram shall be oriented to the north or to some designated street or object and
shall be drawn to a designated scale or with marked dimensions sufficient to show
the various internal dimensions of all areas of the interior of the premises to an
accuracy of plus or minus six inches. The chief of police may waive the foregoing
diagram for renewal applications if the applicant adopts a diagram that was
previously submitted and certifies that the configuration of the premises has not
been altered since it was prepared.
(2) The application shall be sworn to be true and correct by the applicant.
(3) No alteration in the configuration or location of a manager's station may be made
without the prior approval of the chief of police or his designee.
(4) It is the duty of the owners and operators of the premises to ensure that at least
one employee is on duty and situated in each manager's station at all times that
any patron is present inside the premises.
(5) The interior of the premises shall be configured in such a manner that there is an
unobstructed view from a manager's station of every area of the premises to which
any patron is permitted access for any purpose excluding restrooms. Restrooms
may not contain video reproduction equipment. If the premises has two or more
manager's stations designated, then the interior of the premises shall be
configured in such a manner that there is an unobstructed view of each area of the
premises to which any patron is permitted access for any purpose from at least
one of the manager's stations. The view required in this subsection must be by
direct line of sight from the manager's station. No viewing area shall have a door,
half-door, curtain, portal partition or other divider unless at least one side is
completely open to an adjacent public room and a manager's station so that the
area inside is visible to persons in the adjacent public room and a manager's
station.
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(6) It shall be the duty of the owners and operator, and it shall also be the duty of any
agents and employees present in the premises to ensure that the view area
specified in subsection (5) remains unobstructed by any doors, walls,
merchandise, display racks or other materials at all times that any patron is
present in the premises and to ensure that no patron is permitted access to any
area of the premises which has been designated as an area in which patrons will
not be permitted in the application filed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(7) The premises shall be equipped with overhead lighting fixtures of sufficient
intensity to illuminate every place to which patrons are permitted access at an
illumination of not less than one footcandle as measured at the floor level.
(8) It shall be the duty of the owners and operator and it shall also be the duty of any
agents and employees present in the premises to ensure that the illumination
described above, is maintained at all times that any patron is present in the
premises.
(b) A person having a duty under subsections (1) through (8) of subsection (a) above
commits an offense if he knowingly fails to fulfill that duty.
(c) All locational requirements of this section must be approved by the chief of police within
30 days from the time the application is filed.
Sec. 13-141. Display of sexually explicit material to minors.
(a) A person commits an offense if, in a business establishment open to persons under the
age of 17 years, he displays a book, pamphlet, newspaper, magazine, film, or videocassette, the
cover of which depicts, in a manner calculated to arouse sexual lust or passion for commercial
gain or to exploit sexual lust or perversion for commercial gain, any of the following:
(1) Human sexual intercourse, masturbation, or sodomy;
(2) Fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals, pubic region, buttocks, or
female breasts;
(3) Less than completely and opaquely covered human genitals, buttocks, or that
portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; or
(4) Human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state, whether covered or uncovered.
(b) In this section "display" means to locate an item in such a manner that, without obtaining
assistance from an employee of the business establishment:
(1) It is available to the general public for handling and inspection; or
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(2) The cover, outside packaging, or contents of the item is visible to members of the
general public.
Sec. 13-142. Enforcement.
(a) Any person, firm, corporation, agent or employee thereof who violates section 13-134 of
this article shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined
an amount not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) for each offense and a separate offense
shall be deemed committed upon each day during on or which a violation occurs.
(b) Any person, firm, corporation, agent or employee thereof who violates a provision of this
article, other than section 13-134, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof, shall be fined an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for each offense
and a separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during on or which a violation
occurs.
Sec. 13-143. Injunction.
A person who operates or causes to be operated a sexually oriented business without a valid
license or in violation of section 13-134 of this article is subject to a suit for injunction as well as
prosecution for criminal violations."
SECTION 2. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of The Colony in conflict with
the provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby, repealed, and all other provisions of
the ordinances of the City of The Colony not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3. That should any sentence, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or section of this
Ordinance be adjudged or held to be unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid, the same shall not affect
the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any part or provision thereof other than the part
thereof decided to be unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid.
SECTION 4. An offense committed before the effective date of this ordinance is governed by
prior law and the provisions of the Ordinances of the City of The Colony, as amended, in effect
when the offense was committed and the former law is continued in effect for this purpose.
SECTION 5. That any person violating any of the provisions or terms of this Ordinance shall be
subject to the same penalty as provided for in the Code of Ordinances of the City of The Colony
as hereto amended and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed the sum of Five
Hundred Dollars ($500.00) except, however, where a different penalty has been established by
law for such offense which is a violation of any provision of law that governs fire safety, zoning,
or public health and sanitation, the penalty shall be a fine not to exceed the sum of Two
Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense.
SECTION 6. This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and the
publication of the caption as the law and charter in such cases provide.
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PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE
COLONY, TEXAS THIS 20t` day of July, 200
Jo MCCou , Mayor
ATTEST.-
x,
ie Wilson, City Secretary r
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
t i iz
j)Y
Ro ert . Haler, C- Attorny /P
(REH/JJG/3770617-09-09)
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