The Phoenix City Council voted Friday to shut out any new sexually oriented businesses from opening within a designated redevelopment area, according to a published report.
The vote amended a zoning ordinance prohibiting such businesses from opening within the city’s downtown redevelopment area and the warehouse overlay districts, according to the Arizona Republic. The areas are roughly bounded by Fillmore, Lincoln and Seventh streets and Third Avenue; and Madison and Harrison streets and Seventh and Third avenues. Existing sex-based businesses can stay open. The Jungle Cabaret is the only one in the area.
About a half-dozen people connected with the sex industry protested the change during the council meeting, mentioning it would impede the downtown economic push, but Mayor Phil Gordon disagreed, according to the report. He said if the city had to solely rely on such businesses, “shame on us.”
Damian Hartze, who owns an adult club outside downtown, said the city should broaden its appeal, not limiting the core to family entertainment.
“The nightlife continues long after responsible parents have put their children to bed,” he said in the story.
