SEATTLE STRIPPERS NEWSSeattle
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Counsil Committee To Lift Ban On Seattle Strip Clubs?A moratorium on opening new strip clubs in Seattle should probably be lifted because it sets the city up for lawsuits and creates a monopoly for a small number of business owners, a City Council panel said yesterday. But the problem is what to do with the controversial cabarets once the ban is eliminated. During a meeting yesterday of the council's Urban Development and Planning Committee, three council members said they believe it's time for the full council to finally make a decision on the moratorium instead of extending it as they have for 15 years. However, Peter Steinbrueck, Richard Conlin and Tom Rasmussen stopped short of voting to end the moratorium and allow other establishments to compete with the four clubs now operating in Seattle. Instead, they voted 3-0 to forward the matter to the full council Monday without recommendation. "Either we extend the moratorium for another year, or end it and open the door to allow cabarets anywhere in the city where commercial businesses are allowed to site," said Steinbrueck, who heads the panel. Yesterday, Steinbrueck said he would favor permanent land use regulations governing where the clubs can open. The Seattle strip clubs issue is sensitive for the council, which spent much of last year wrangling with a rezoning request by Rick's strip club to allow more parking on a lot behind the Lake City Way establishment. The typically routine request turned into a twisted tale, now known as "Strippergate," that led to ethics fines for several council members for not disclosing meetings and lunches with people connected to Rick's, and an investigation into possible improper campaign contributions tied to the Seattle strip club and its owners. Two council members who had received donations connected to Rick's owner Frank Colacurcio Jr. -- Judy Nicastro and Heidi Wills -- were defeated in last fall's elections. In December, Steinbrueck asked Mayor Greg Nickels to direct the Department of Planning and Development to look into the matter. But he hasn't found any support for that plan from Nickels. Nickels said he isn't interested. "The mayor supports extending the moratorium for another year, so the council and mayor can continue their cooperative work on more pressing issues, such as a $25 million budget hole and the Families and Education levy," said Marianne Bichsel, a spokeswoman for Nickels. Steinbrueck isn't optimistic about finding any more support among the majority of council members when they tackle the issue Monday. The current moratorium expires June 30. "My prediction is that the moratorium will be extended once again," Steinbrueck said. "We are in a bind. This moratorium can't go on indefinitely, but there is also no support for going forward to look at alternatives. It is bad policy to keep extending the moratorium." The proposed ordinance that will come before the council next week includes a work plan requesting that the planning and law departments work together to come up with locations in the city where strip clubs would have less impact on neighborhoods. City Attorney Tom Carr said yesterday he believes the city is following the laws and said he would "vigorously defend" any lawsuits brought against the city. But he added, "I am uncomfortable with this ongoing moratorium. "As a policy matter, we should make a decision and get on with it." No lawsuits have been filed against the city by potential Seattle strip club operators. The city has one person, Robert Davis, on the waiting list to apply for a strip club permit if the moratorium is lifted. Victor Webbeking, who lives behind Rick's on Lake City Way, cheered the committee's action yesterday. "I think Conlin, Steinbrueck and Rasmussen sent a message today that they are willing to address difficult issues. It gives me hope," he said. "A log has shifted a little in this logjam." Rick's also received a permit last year from the city's planning department, allowing it to expand, adding a 286-seat theater. The permit didn't require council action. When the council originally approved the moratorium in late 1988, there were seven strip clubs operating in the city. Now there are four. Clubs now licensed to operate in the city are Déjà Vu Showgirls on First Avenue, Centerfolds and Sands, both in the Crown Hill neighborhood, and Rick's. Some say the moratorium gives a monopoly in Seattle to the cabaret owners. "There is quite a bit of demand, as we have seen with the expansion of Rick's," said Steinbrueck. He said he received a call from people connected with a Seattle strip club asking him to keep the moratorium. The busy clubs are overwhelming neighborhoods, neighbors say. "You are giving these establishments free rein to expand, and giving them a monopoly. You are giving preferential treatment to one type of business," said Seattle resident Kelly Meinig. Council newcomer Tom Rasmussen said the council needs to tackle the issue. "It feels like we are avoiding this again." More Strip Clubs In Seattle?A federal judge says yes, but city council may yet say no. The judge ruled that what was supposed to be a temporary ban on new clubs 17 years ago amounts to an unconstitutional violation of free speech. The city said it was waiting for new cabaret regulation from the county and state, but Judge James Robart says that was just an excuse. But the whole issue could be moot. The Seattle City Council votes next week on a rule that would ban lap dances. Strippers in Seattle would have to stay at least four feet away from the customers. And strip club operators say that would pretty much kill any new business. Seattle Strippers News provided courtesy of www.SeattleStrippers 101.com |
