TEA, S.D. - The Tea City Council decided on Monday to table the issue of a new ordinance concerning adult businesses until members have had a chance to look at the information closer. The recent opening of an adult store just outside the city limits — on the busiest road into Tea — prompted the meeting. According to reports, the store has some citizens looking for tougher adult regulations.
The town's current ordinance allows adult businesses to operate at a distance of 500 feet from residential neighborhoods, schools and churches. Completely restricting such businesses is a violation of the Constitution, but Tea council members said they are looking at ways to restrict other adult businesses that might come to town.
"I think the people here are beginning to see what can happen close to their homes," Jim Jenkins, a Kansas attorney who specializes in drafting adult ordinances, told KELOLAND News.
Jenkins was brought to Monday's council meeting as a consultant.
The six thousand square foot adult store, called Olivia's, opened two weeks ago and has been the center of debate ever since.
"We're not opposed to reasonable regulation we don't allow any illegal activities to happen in our places we don't encourage to come and commit crimes," Olivia's owner David Eliason said at the council meeting. "If [adult businesses are] going to be here, what can we do to regulate it and how can we control it."
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