Greene currently has no regulation of adult-oriented businesses on the books.
GREENE – Voters at the annual town meeting in March will consider a proposed ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses.
A draft of the ordinance was presented at a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen and the Land Use Ordinance Committee Monday night.
Mike Russo, chairman of the Land Use Ordinance Committee, said an annual license would “ensure that the business is not having a secondary effect. It’s a regulatory tool.” He added that the proposed ordinance relates partly to sites where adult-oriented businesses would be permitted and locations where they would be prohibited.
The proposed ordinance would also prohibit persons younger than 18 from being on the premises, prohibit tipping in certain types of adult-oriented businesses and establish guidelines for private screening booths for adult videos. There would be lighting and size restrictions and a limit of one person per booth. Operators of adult businesses would be required to undergo criminal background checks prior to licensing.
There was also discussion that an ordinance should not be so restrictive that the town could be open to litigation based on the First Amendment.
“What prompted this?” asked Sheldon Bubier, a town resident and former Planning Board member.
Russo explained that currently there is no regulation of adult-oriented businesses. He said the Land Use Ordinance Committee recognized that and asked the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments for model ordinances they could look at. AVCOG gave the town several.
“There were two or three we looked at to see what would be the best fit for the town of Greene,” Russo said.
Bubier expressed concern that the proposal doesn’t address Internet porn that could be available for viewing in some types of businesses including bars or Internet cafes. Several people agreed that Internet availability in businesses should be addressed.
Comments are no longer available on this story