Council adopts site restrictions for strip clubs

After 17 years of moratoriums on new strip clubs in Seattle, adult cabarets will be allowed to open as long as they're several hundred feet from other adult businesses or schools, the City Council voted Monday.

Observers expect few new clubs to open immediately because they cannot sell liquor, making it difficult to turn a profit. Three permit applications are pending at the city, and the owner of one of the locations has already opposed the permit.

"They're not breaking down the barn doors to start these types of businesses in Seattle," said Peter Steinbrueck, chair of the urban-planning committee. "It has nothing to do with the land-use code; it has much to do with the other restrictions on operations, in particular the prohibition on liquor sales."

Two businessmen testified Monday against the new rules, saying they drove around the city with the new zoning map in hand and could not find any suitable place to open an "old-school cabaret" with an emcee and performing women.

"My partner and I hopped in our car and I drove to every spot" where clubs are allowed under the new rules, said Lucas Wunsch. "There is nothing."

The new rules say a new strip club cannot be closer than 800 feet to an elementary or secondary school, a child-care center, a community center, or a public park or open space where children congregate. The new rules also require new clubs be located at least 600 feet from another adult cabaret or adult theater. Clubs cannot open in the industrial and manufacturing areas of Sodo or Ballard.

Since 1988, the City Council had renewed its moratorium on new clubs each year. In 2004, Bob Davis applied for a city permit to open an adult cabaret and when the city denied it, he sued. A federal court ruled the city's moratorium was a restriction on Davis' free-speech rights and awarded him $500,000. Davis, who had yet to see the new zoning map, said the new rules looked "reasonable."

Since that ruling, no permit applications were filed until recently.

Davis applied to open an adult cabaret at 1534 1st Ave. S. in Sodo and 5220 Roosevelt Way N.E. in the University District, although that property owner said he was not interested in having an adult business there. David Hasson of Hasson Architects has applied for a permit to open a business at 2027 Westlake Ave.

"We think this action is going to land the city of Seattle back in court in the not too distant future," said Timothy Killian, a lobbyist for Rick's strip club in Lake City. He predicts that as more protected areas open up — for instance, new child-care centers — it will further limit where these clubs can open. The four strip clubs that operate in Seattle will be grandfathered in under the city's legislation.

Earlier, Mayor Greg Nickels proposed creating a red-light district in Sodo, which was opposed by Beacon Hill, Georgetown and South Park residents.

"We continue to believe the original plan was going to have the least amount of impact on the neighborhoods," said Marty McOmber, the mayor's spokesperson. "We are pleased the council has finally acted on zoning for these clubs after 17 or 18 years."

Last fall, Seattle voters struck down rules that would have required dancers to stay 4 feet away from patrons.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com