URBANA, NY — The legendary but rarely proven “negative secondary effects” of adult-related businesses is nearly always cited as an excuse to ban, limit, or otherwise control and restrict them. Yet they are once again being presented as a prime reason for creating a zoning law in Urbana, NY starting in February.”We want to protect people from those,” the Steuben Courier quotes city board member Connie Cook as saying about reports officials and residents have heard concerning crime, sex offenses, and neighborhood degradation supposedly associated with the arrival of adult businesses.

Cook and those who side with her, would prefer to see an adult entertainment district created in the already seamy industrial side of town, away from churches, schools, child care buildings, or even wineries and museums.

The topic was a matter of discussion during a poorly attended informal meeting this past Monday, when town residents were encouraged to speak their mind. Cook told reporters that information and statistics were provided and a 200 signature petition is expected.

A draft of the proposed zoning law will also be presented soon, according to town supervisor Richard Gardiner.

Currently there are no adult businesses in the town and no plans to open any. However, because of the town’s location along State Route 54, nervous officials want a proactive solution in place, lest any adult entrepreneurs decide it’s a good place to set up shop. The opening of an adult bookstore along Interstate 86 in Bath two years ago motivated officials to begin work on a zoning law, since Bath had not had anything to use against the store, in spite of objections from some residents.

Since then, Bath has formed a citizens committee to look over possible land use plans limiting adult businesses and surrounding areas have enacted similar restrictions.