(a) It is hereby determined that adult entertainment uses, as defined in this chapter, tend to bring with them secondary concerns that affect the health, safety and general welfare of the township. These associated concerns include difficulties for law enforcement, municipal maintenance, trash, deleterious effects on business and residential property values, and increased crime, particularly the corruption of the morals of minors and prostitution. In addition, such uses encourage residents and businesses to move elsewhere.
(b) With these concerns in mind, the township is amending this Zoning Code to establish restrictions and limitations on the location of said activities within the township. The township has concluded that a permit and/or license requirement is a legitimate and reasonable means of accountability to ensure that the operators of adult entertainment uses comply with reasonable regulations and do not knowingly allow their establishments to be used as places of illegal sexual activity or solicitation. The township does not intend by this chapter to affect or suppress any activities protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, but only to address the secondary concerns referred to above.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)