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Allen County Plan Commission Advances Zoning Limits On "Sexually Oriented Businesses"

FILE

The countywide push to limit the function and operation of swingers clubs and strip clubs continues, as the Allen County Plan Commission unanimously approved new zoning rules against such businesses Thursday.

While this is merely the first phase of what will be a weeks-long process, it’s another attempt by the county to place limitations on these types of businesses. Local officials attempted to tie in an increase of STI and drug trafficking in Northeast Indiana to local businesses like the Champagne Club near Fort Wayne’s southwest side, but Fort Wayne City Council was unconvinced and ultimately killed the effort on a 3-3-1 vote.

The Champagne Club has more than 6,000 members, 2,000 from Fort Wayne alone, but despite the public support showcased during the August 13 City Council meeting, officials are pressing on to limit the function of this club and clubs like it in the future.

Thursday’s proposal would restrict sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated Allen County to areas zoned “general industrial.” In those districts, sexually oriented businesses can't locate within 1,000 feet of a school, residential district or religious institution.

The measure doesn’t apply to county municipalities yet, but Fort Wayne has scheduled a public hearing on its own zoning rules with sexually oriented businesses September 9 at 5:30 pm. Like the most recent measure, it is expected the city will follow the county’s lead on the process.

Fort Wayne Republican 1st District councilman Paul Ensley was the abstaining vote on the measure; during the August 13 discussion, he stated he would be much more likely to make his vote through zoning changes. Two Republican Council members -- Tom Didier and Jason Arp -- were not present for that discussion.

Allen County’s Board of Commissioners will have the final say in the county measure; they approved the last one unanimously.

Zach joined 89.1 WBOI as a reporter and local host for All Things Considered, and hosted Morning Edition for the past few years. In 2022, he was promoted to Content Director.