Bath adult biz could become illegal
Land use regulations currently under review could place Worth Road bookstore in non-compliance if enacted
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - An adult bookstore located on Worth Road could wind up in violation of local land use regulations the Bath town government will review in the new year.

The regulations would prohibit the operation of any adult business within 1,000 feet of the property line of any one-, two- or multiple-family residence, according to William Hudson, chairman of the Bath town Land Use Committee. The committee was formed last year to study land use policies for the town.

There are several residences whose property lines are within 1,000 feet of the property line of the Worth Road business, Hudson noted. If the 1,000-foot rule is approved by the town board, the Worth Road business would have a particular period of time to bring itself into compliance with local adult business regulations, he said.

Those regulations, still in draft form within the Land Use Committee, also include:

 A 1,000-foot barrier between the property line of any adult business and the property lines of places of worship, cemeteries, playgrounds and schools.

 A "major distance" required between the property lines of two adult businesses.

The regulations are part of a larger comprehensive plan for the Town of Bath, which the Land Use Committee began developing in 2006. Hudson told the Courier the plan will also encourage formation of agricultural districts to support the continuance of farming in the town. The plan will also encourage fostering tourism.

None of these details have yet been presented to the town board, Hudson noted. The committee is expected to present a preliminary report on its work at Monday's town board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Liberty Street municipal building.

Hudson said the Land Use Committee will also recommend the extension of a moratorium on any new adult business in the town, which the town board passed early in 2006.

The moratorium and formation of the Land Use Committee came in the aftermath of the opening of the Worth Road business, which caused an immediate uproar in the Town of Bath.

The Village of Bath passed a similar moratorium and late last year approved an amendment to the village zoning law that would restrict the location of any adult business within village limits.