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<br /> I. . . . . - <br /> Council Member Leipzig said it was important for the Council to protect free speech <br /> and the First Amendment. He said image was important. Council Member Leipzig <br /> said that he believed the salability of nearby properties was impacted, although he <br />- wasn't sure the Council should be discussing that. Council Member Leipzig said, just <br /> not wanting that kind of a business in the area, wasn't a sufficient reason for him to <br /> support the proposed ordinance. He said that from a policy standpoint Council <br /> Members shouldn't be looking at that. Council Member Leipzig said they needed to <br /> "look at a reasonableness, and this ordinance is reasonable. There is sufficient area <br /> available. It is not as if we were saying we are eliminating these businesses entirely in <br /> the City. We are giving them the opportunity to move within a reasonable time.... I <br /> think that meets the test of reasonableness for me, and protection of free speech and the <br /> First Amendment." <br /> Council Member Ruskin said he concurred with the staff Report that this type of <br /> business needs to be regulated in Redwood City. He addressed the amortization <br /> schedule and said that several cities did not grandfather in existing businesses when <br /> they adopted regulating SOB ordinances, including Mountain View, Palo Alto, San <br /> Carlos, San Jose, Sunnyvale and South San Francisco. Council Member Ruskin said <br /> that if a business is of such an unusual nature that it is Constitutional and in the interest <br /> of the community to regulate it to a greater extent than most or all other businesses, <br /> "then it also seems clear to me that it is both Constitutional and wise to regulate the <br /> current businesses that fall into this category. If we are going to go to regulating this <br /> business in general, it makes sense that you would also want to apply the standards to <br /> current businesses.... It would seem unwise to leave businesses that are currently in the <br />- same category, where they are, when we are preparing for future businesses to be more <br /> thoroughly regulated." <br /> Mayor Howard said she wanted to treat all sexually oriented businesses like the City <br /> had treated sexually oriented magazines in convenience stores. She said they are no <br /> longer allowed to be displayed or accessed physically or visibly. She said this <br /> ordinance would do the same thing, by removing SOBs from highly visible locations, <br /> particularly in sensitive areas. Mayor Howard said the ordinance was well thought out <br /> and she supported it. She said that after the proposed ordinance was adopted, she <br /> would like to meet with the County Board of Supervisors to encourage them to adopt a <br /> similar ordinance, and eventually regulate all SOBs along EI Camino Real. <br /> Council Member Claire described former Mayor Britschgi's efforts to address this <br /> issue, and said, "this is a long time coming." <br /> REITERATION OF THE MOTIONS. INTRODUCTION OF AMENDMENTS <br /> AND ORDINANCES <br /> 1. MIS; IRAlRUSKIN TO INTRODUCE ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE 27 TO <br /> ORDINANCE NO. 1130, THE REDWOOD CITY ZONING ORDINANCE <br /> RELATING TO SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES, INCLUDING SECTION <br />- <br /> REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 APRIL 27,1998 <br /> MINUTES Page No. 417 PAGE 14 <br />