2005/06/15 Council Agenda Packet

The consensus among those expressing opposition to the operation of adult uses is that adult entertainment establish.nents have a negative impact on the communities in which they are located. These impacts include: inappropriate exposure of children and teenagers to graphic sexual images, increased crime, diminishing properry values, adverse effects upon the climate for other types of commercial activities, and overall negative influences upon community character. Recent Trends in the Location of Adult Entertainment Uses After burgeoning growth in the early 1970's, the number of adult entertainment establish- ments in the city declined by 13 percent from 151 in 1976 to 131 in 1984.' By 1993, however, DCP identified 177 such establishments with assistance from the 59 Community Boards. This represents an increase of 35 percent over the last decade. Should this growth continue at the same rate, an additional 60 adult entertainment establishments will be operating in the city by the year. 2002. The DCP survey focused on three types of uses: triple -X video and bookstores, adult live or movie theaters, and topless or nude bars. These adult uses were further limited to those which identified themselves as "adult," through signage or other advertising. The survey may understate the total number of adult entertainment uses. The locations of these establishments are shown on a map following page 19. More than 75 percent of the adult establishments were located in zoning districts that permit residences. Since the survey was completed, several new adult entertainment establishment have opened. The production and distribution of sexually explicit materials has changed dramatically in recent years. Adult material is more readily accessible than it used to be, and a greater variety of products are available to segments of the adult entertainment audience - both inexpensive material and fancier entertainment are more readily available than ten years ago. In particular, triple -X videos are now produced cheaply and sold for prices below $5, whereas only a few vears ago adult films commanded prices of approximately 5100. In addition there are more topless bars than previously, due to a proliferation of topless bars affecting an "upscale" image. Panially as a result of these changes in the adult use industry, adult entertainment establishments are now found more widely throughout.the city. Historical data was obtained from various sources. Caution should be exercised in interpreting trend data because the defining characteristics of adult use mai vary among sources. EVER00093