The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved proposed new regulations aimed at adult businesses in the city.
The measure now goes before the City Council for a vote scheduled for next Monday at City Hall, 1200 E. Broad St.
The commission approved the revised new guidelines for adult businesses by a 4-2 vote, which would force strip clubs, video stores and other adult entertainment businesses to close by 10 p.m. instead of the current 2 a.m. requirement. Other provisions would require employees to maintain work permits issued by the city and ban alcohol and tipping of G-string-clad exotic dancers.
Although some commissioners asked about imposing a $50,000 deposit by club owners to deter possible crimes at clubs and lowering local property values, City Attorney April Virnig said such requirements were unlikely to survive legal challenges, since courts have traditionally opposed putting excessive demands on adult businesses.
But courts have said that restricting business hours doesn’t unfairly limit free speech, Virnig said.
Nearby Kennedale and Arlington have similar regulations forbidding patrons and dancers from touching by requiring customers and stage areas to be at least six feet apart and allowing tips to be placed in a container away from the stage.
Adult businesses in Arlington are required to close at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Kennedale requires a midnight closing time.
But while some hailed the Mansfield’s proposed regulations as among the area’s toughest on adult businesses, Commissioner Beverly Thompson said she voted against the new rules, saying they didn’t go far enough.
