Swingers Law Hearing Likely

Swingers law hearing likely
Full council expected to OK date to discuss adult business amendment

SCHENECTADY — The City Council took a key step toward passage of a massive expansion of its adult entertainment law, giving preliminary approval to hold a public hearing on a law intended to force a racy Union Street inn to host swingers parties in industrial areas.

Members of the council’s Development and Planning Committee said little before endorsing plans to host a Oct. 10 hearing on the amendment to the law. The entire council is expected to vote for the hearing Monday.
The council could pass the measure after the hearing, but it is more likely lawmakers will take a formal vote at its meeting two weeks later.

The amendment would give the city oversight over a number of adult businesses, but the measure was proposed after revelations that Bob Alexson hosted parties for swingers at his Union Street Bed & Breakfast.

Alexson said the parties are part of his private life, not the inn’s business. But neighbors said the parties are intertwined with the inn and should be regulated by the city.

Dana Swalla of Phoenix Avenue and several neighbors have asked the city to force the sex parties to end or be moved to industrial areas.

Lawmakers want to expand the rules that forbid adult bookstores and strip clubs from existing anywhere but in industrial zones. The amendment would apply to hotels that offer hourly rentals for the purpose of sex, and to several other kinds of adult businesses, including pornographic movie theaters, escort services and nude modeling studios.

Also Monday, the council discussed expanding penalties for property owners who let their buildings fall into decay. Council member Gary McCarthy suggested that the city consider adding jail time as one of the penalties for property owners who let properties fall into disrepair and then ignore city efforts to get them to clean up.

Council President Mark Blanchfield suggested requiring rental property owners to file forms with the city that list street addresses where they can be found.

City officials have complained that some investment property owners list post office boxes on deeds, making it difficult to find them when their properties violate city codes.

The council also agreed to keep its meetings at 7 p.m., after spending roughly one month weighing whether to move the start time to 6 p.m.

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