DETROIT - A federal judge has found some of Detroit's zoning laws unconstitutional, after the owners of a local club filed suit, challenging several of the city's policies regulating adult entertainment. According to a recent report, the city must now rewrite its regulations governing when and where strip clubs can operate.
The issue stems from a rejected ownership transfer by the proprietors of Zoo Bar. The City Council blocked the transfer so the owners filed suit against the city.
Judge Abele Cook Jr. called for major changes, finding that the city's Buildings and Safety Engineering Department is given overly broad discretion to deny a strip club from opening, according to the Detroit News. Cook also found that by not supplying a deadline on permit applications, it was allowing the council to stall the process for as long as it sees fit.
"The Court directs the city to revise its zoning ordinance forthwith to bring it into compliance with the First Amendment," Cook said in her ruling.
Cook's ruling was only on one portion of Zoo Bar's lawsuit and the city may have more changes to come, concerning adult businesses.
"This is a victory for my client," said Brad Shafer, an attorney for the Zoo Bar, told the Detroit News. "They will have to change their entire approach to zoning adult business."
Cook's ruling could affect a number of prospective clubs, including a plan to open a Hustler strip club in the city.
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