2005/06/15 Council Agenda Packet

EXECUTIVE SUNEvLARY Municipalities throughout the country regulate the locations of adult entertainment establish- ments to limit their impacts on neighborhoods and the quality of life. Despite the recent proliferation of such uses in New York City — an increase of 35 percent in 10 years — current zoning regulations do not distinguish adult entertainment establishments from similar commercial uses without an "adult character." For example, triple -X (XXX) video stores and video stores that do not purvey pornography are regulated identically in the Zoning Resolu- tion. The Department of City Planning (DCP) undertook the "Adult Entertainment Study" to determine the nature and extent of the secondary impacts of adult entertainment uses on communities in the city. The Study includes: (1) a survey of existing studies conceming the impacts of adult entertainment establishments and regulations of such establishments in other localities; (2) a description of the adult entertainment business in New York City; (3) a review of studies and reports on adult entertainment establishments in P' w York City; (4� a DCP survey of the impacts such establishments have on communities in the City; and, (5) overall study findings and conclusion. Background In 1977, after concluding that adult entertainment uses had negative impacts on communities, the City Planning Commission (CPC) proposed new zoning regulations distinguishing adult entertainment uses and restricting their potential locations. The proposal was withdrawn at the Board of Estimate due to a lack of consensus regarding the appropriate extent of such regulations and concern that the regulations being proposedmight result in the movement of adult uses to new locations. The recent proliferation of adult entertainment establishments, often identified by graphic signage, has led to widespread concern about potential deterioration in the quality of life in many of the city's neighborhoods. Some residents, concerned about the negative impacts of adult uses in their neighborhoods and fearful of the potential results of proliferation, have organized ad hoc groups and appealed to local officials to have them closed down. Such local opposition ultimately resulted in the voluntary closing of adult video stores and bars in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Chelsea, Murray Hill, Forest Hills, and Bay Ridge. Two bills have been introduced in the City Council to regulate the location of adult entertainment uses. A resolution has also been introduced at the Council calling for zoning amendments to restrict adult entertainment uses. E V ER00092