BRYANT, AR - The city of Bryant is discussing tougher restrictions on the location of adult stores within city limits and hammering out exactly where those businesses can build without disturbing the growing community.
"We don't really necessarily want to regulate the content of a business" said Bryant Staff Attorney Chris Madison. "It's the location of the business that matters."
Thursday night, the city of Bryant is discussing an ordinance to place stricter regulations on adult stores that want to move into the area like requiring a 750 foot distance between the store and a school, church or residential neighborhood.
"It's really focused on where kids would be, people underage, so they aren't unnecessarily exposed to it," said Madison.
"Zoning ordinances are difficult to deal with but i'm mindful and respectful of them because I believe in protecting the innocence around," said Cupid's adult store owner Spencer Elmen. "The children in the neighborhoods and things like that."
Elmen adheres to all regulations, even going the extra mile at some of his locations by covering the windows.
"You get little fights at the beginning from what seems like every location and every city attorney and then you have to show them that you do have rights as a business owner," said Elmen.
Although Elmen supports the stricter boundaries, he admits every added restriction narrows the options for his very specific business making expansion that much harder.
"You just have to walk the fine line - the balance between protecting the business owners rights and the citizens rights and what they expect in a neighborhood or a city," said Elmen.
It's been 15 years since the city council has revised this ordinance. The city council will vote on the second reading next month.
