CHARLES CITY, Ia. - A proposed video store that may have a specified room for adult movies has some Charles City residents concerned. Several residents spoke out against a development agreement between the city and Family Video Inc., at Monday night's city council meeting.
According to a report in the Charles City Press, it was announced at a previous council meeting that some Family Video locations include "adult rooms" within the store which carry adult titles. However, Family Video Inc. has neither officially confirmed nor denied that it intends to have an adult room in its Charles City store.
"I am just appalled that we would have a business come into this community under the auspices of 'Family Video' that would work to destroy the town," Pastor Dennis Bachman told the Charles City Press. "I am extremely concerned about the prospect of having a business in town that would be selling or renting pornographic materials for several reasons."
Regardless of how they feel about the deal, city officials may not have a lot of authority to do anything about it.
"In my opinion, we've already made the commitment to Family Video in terms of our development agreement," City Attorney Ralph Smith told the Charles City Press. "These proceedings are simply to make the agreement in compliance with the urban renewal law in order to facilitate tax increment financing."
Nonetheless, Rev. Jean Clark presented the council with a petition she said contained between 400 and 500 signatures opposing the store. And the store's position with the city may not be as secure as it would seem.
"My understanding is that no purchase has been made as of this date and no one with the City has any knowledge that this is going to occur by the deadline of July 1," Smith said. The city’s development agreement is contingent on Family Video actually owning the property by that date.
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