In what recent reports are calling "an aggressive assault on Houston's sex businesses," a federal court has now cleared the way for a 1997 law that significantly toughens restrictions on where adult-oriented businesses are allowed to operate.
According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the law could force as many as 150 adult businesses to relocate or close. In the meantime, employees of sex shops and strip clubs could face arrest.
"Now is the time for them to move," Mayor Bill White told the Chronicle. "We're going to enforce the law."
The decade-old ordinance doubles the distance required between adult businesses and schools, parks and churches. It also includes provisions against such businesses — including topless clubs, modeling studios and adult bookstores — locating near residential areas, or clustering together.
The bill has been on hold during a decade-long federal court battle, but U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas recently decided that the city can begin enforcing it, with no grandfathering provisions that would protect existing businesses.
The city's effort is the latest in a continuing battle against sex businesses, as courts recently passed other provisions in the sprawling ordinance, requiring performers to get licenses and keep a 3-foot distance from customers.
If businesses owners fail to comply after a notification from the city, their owners could be arrested on a Class A misdemeanor, according to the report.
"We're still trying to finalize our game plan," Houston police Captain Steve Jett told the Chronicle. "It's being strategically planned to do it effectively."
"Although it is clear that certain plaintiffs may experience significant expense and potential lost profits if the city enforces the ordinance and plaintiffs are required to relocate their businesses, the court is unpersuaded that this injury justifies granting the requested relief," judge Atlas wrote in her verdict.
"I've been trying not to think about it," Charles Sarpy, a manager at Club Exotica, told the Chronicle of the impending crackdown.
Among Sarpy's employees, he said, are single mothers and college students attracted to the business by the high pay and flexible hours.
"If they close these clubs down, it's going to put a lot of people out of work."
