For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the citizenry of Ashe County, this chapter is adopted by the Board of Commissioners to regulate adult establishments, as defined in this chapter, located in the county. The regulations of this chapter have been made with reasonable consideration given to the character of the county and its areas and the unique suitability of certain areas for location of these establishments. Studies have shown that lowered property values and increased crime rates tend to accompany and are brought about by the concentration of adult establishments as defined in this chapter. Regulation of these uses is necessary to ensure that these effects do not contribute to the blighting of surrounding neighborhoods and to protect the integrity of the county’s schools, churches, child care centers, parks and playgrounds which are typically areas in which juveniles congregate. It is the intent of this provision to establish reasonable regulations to prevent a concentration of adult establishments within the County of Ashe and to separate adult establishments from those sensitive uses listed in this chapter.
(Ord. passed 3-19-12; Am. Ord. passed 8-21-23)