The Westport Planning Board has said they will recommend moving the town's strip club zone to a larger, more revamped area. According to a recent report, the new property will include a large area owned by Robert Machado where he has made a request to the city to build his own gentlemen's club.
According to the Warren Times Gazette, Westport was facing a lawsuit over the Appeals Board's denial of Mr. Machado's request. This came after the town passed a limited strip club zone last year, restricting building area for club owners significantly. Previous to that, prospective owners could build wherever they wanted in Westport.
At the planning board hearing, Machado told the Warren Times Gazette that he couldn't believe it when the redrawn zone omitted his property.
"The First Amendment allows a business like this to be established," said Machado. "You can't dodge it without a lot of litigation. If under the First Amendment it has to exist, you have to live with it."
Chairman John Montano echoed most of the board member's opinions when he said that it would be in their best interest to "avoid lengthy and costly litigation against the town."
Opponents of the revised ordinance have argued that the revised bylaw would also put potential clubs closer to schools, churches or playgrounds; an earlier draft had a 300-foot distance rule. The original bylaw called for 800 feet.
