SIMI VALLEY : Council Extends Ban on Adult Businesses

As the clock ran out on a moratorium barring new adult businesses from locating in Simi Valley, City Council members Monday night extended the ban to allow more time to develop a law regulating the industry.

The moratorium now extends for 10 months, until February, 1994, but it would be lifted once an ordinance is adopted and becomes effective, officials said. The vote was 4 to 0, with Councilwoman Sandi Webb absent.

The council is set to consider draft regulations April 26.

No adult businesses exist in the city, but Las Vegas entrepreneur Philip Young had sought a permit to open a topless club on Los Angeles Avenue before the council adopted a 45-day moratorium Feb. 22.

The moratorium, coupled with fierce community opposition, led Young to announce recently that he has dropped the plan.

The draft ordinance would limit where adult businesses can locate in the city in relation to each other and to schools, churches and youth-oriented businesses. About seven properties in the city would meet the guidelines under consideration, officials said.