Mariel Garza
Los Angeles Daily News
LOS ANGELES -- The lap dance could replace the Lambada as the forbidden dance under a "no-touch" proposal for adult businesses, recommended Monday by the city attorney and a City Council panel.
The ordinance, which will be considered by the full council as soon as next week, would require a six-foot "no touch" zone around entertainers at X-rated businesses in the city, and outlaw the custom of tipping dancers by slipping cash into their G-strings.
Many residents hailed the proposal, which is called unprecedented in a city as large as Los Angeles, as a way to clean up the industry. But dancers and club owners say the action would put thousands of people out of work and drive many legitimate establishments out of business.
"I don't know what I'm going to do if this goes through," dancer Marianne Summers told the council's Public Safety Committee, saying she would probably have to go on unemployment.
But residents like Cristi Walden, who lives within a mile of six adult businesses in West L.A., said the clubs have caused numerous problems in her neighborhood, including people having sex in the bushes and in cars.
"Please, please, please adopt this ordinance," Walden said.
Chanel Godinez, a manager at a North Hollywood nude club, said only legal conduct occurs at her club and most of the dancers are working their way through college.
"There's a no-tolerance policy on lewd conduct," Godinez said. "If we even suspect anything, your contract is canceled and you're given 72 hours' notice."
Currently, there are no rules regulating touching in the city's adult businesses, and many dancers survive on tips from lap dances or time with patrons in private rooms.
"We're probably the largest city to consider something as comprehensive," said Asha Greenberg, a deputy city attorney, adding that similar laws adopted by Newport Beach and Kent, Wash., have been successfully tested by the courts.
John Weston, an attorney for adult businesses in Los Angeles, indicated that they will consider suing if the city adopts the ordinance.
Roger Jon Diamond, another attorney representing adult businesses, compared the proposed ordinance to the rules of the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
"You could outlaw these activities," Diamond said, "but do we want a society where people just can't go out and enjoy themselves? I don't think so."
But members of the committee -- council members Cindy Miscikowski, Jan Perry and Dennis Zine -- supported the proposal.
"What we're doing is simply protecting the communities," said Zine, who said his west San Fernando Valley district and other areas have problems with some adult businesses. "The proliferation of these locations is destroying neighborhoods across the city of Los Angeles."
In addition to the six-foot and no tipping rule, the ordinance would require security guards at all adult businesses, and that video arcades employ janitors. The ordinance also would require that entertainers be on a stage at least 18 inches high with fixed rails at least 30 inches high.
:nono:
Los Angeles Daily News
LOS ANGELES -- The lap dance could replace the Lambada as the forbidden dance under a "no-touch" proposal for adult businesses, recommended Monday by the city attorney and a City Council panel.
The ordinance, which will be considered by the full council as soon as next week, would require a six-foot "no touch" zone around entertainers at X-rated businesses in the city, and outlaw the custom of tipping dancers by slipping cash into their G-strings.
Many residents hailed the proposal, which is called unprecedented in a city as large as Los Angeles, as a way to clean up the industry. But dancers and club owners say the action would put thousands of people out of work and drive many legitimate establishments out of business.
"I don't know what I'm going to do if this goes through," dancer Marianne Summers told the council's Public Safety Committee, saying she would probably have to go on unemployment.
But residents like Cristi Walden, who lives within a mile of six adult businesses in West L.A., said the clubs have caused numerous problems in her neighborhood, including people having sex in the bushes and in cars.
"Please, please, please adopt this ordinance," Walden said.
Chanel Godinez, a manager at a North Hollywood nude club, said only legal conduct occurs at her club and most of the dancers are working their way through college.
"There's a no-tolerance policy on lewd conduct," Godinez said. "If we even suspect anything, your contract is canceled and you're given 72 hours' notice."
Currently, there are no rules regulating touching in the city's adult businesses, and many dancers survive on tips from lap dances or time with patrons in private rooms.
"We're probably the largest city to consider something as comprehensive," said Asha Greenberg, a deputy city attorney, adding that similar laws adopted by Newport Beach and Kent, Wash., have been successfully tested by the courts.
John Weston, an attorney for adult businesses in Los Angeles, indicated that they will consider suing if the city adopts the ordinance.
Roger Jon Diamond, another attorney representing adult businesses, compared the proposed ordinance to the rules of the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
"You could outlaw these activities," Diamond said, "but do we want a society where people just can't go out and enjoy themselves? I don't think so."
But members of the committee -- council members Cindy Miscikowski, Jan Perry and Dennis Zine -- supported the proposal.
"What we're doing is simply protecting the communities," said Zine, who said his west San Fernando Valley district and other areas have problems with some adult businesses. "The proliferation of these locations is destroying neighborhoods across the city of Los Angeles."
In addition to the six-foot and no tipping rule, the ordinance would require security guards at all adult businesses, and that video arcades employ janitors. The ordinance also would require that entertainers be on a stage at least 18 inches high with fixed rails at least 30 inches high.
:nono:
