New Lenox does not have adult-oriented businesses such as dance clubs and lingerie shows, but officials are considering an ordinance regulating them just in case.
Carrie Hansen, the village’s planning and development administrator, told the Plan Commission at a work session Monday that an ordinance would allow the village to be prepared if such businesses move to New Lenox.
She recommended modeling a local adult-use ordinance on a Lansing statute, which survived a recent court challenge. Many towns want to draw up adult-use ordinances, Hansen said, but, “We’ve all kind of been waiting until somebody else passed the court test.”
Plan commissioners said the Lansing ordinance limits adult-oriented businesses to areas with industrial zoning, and such businesses must apply for a special use. Such establishments may not hold liquor licenses.
“I think the Lansing ordinance is probably the simplest way to achieve the goal (of control),” Commission Chairman Cory Lund said.
An adult-use ordinance can regulate but not prohibit such businesses, he said. The Plan Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed ordinance May 4.