Some opponents of the adult-use zoning ordinances passed by the Northampton City Council on November 2 have been arguing that they constitute illegal “spot zoning” because the ordinance was partly motivated by opposition to a specific business, namely Capital Video’s plans for a large porn shop at 135 King Street. They say that the 1,000-square-foot […]
Continue reading Why Northampton’s New Adult-Use Ordinances Are Not Spot Zoning
Aileen Coe objects to the confusion of no and yes in this week’s Sophian, the Smith College student newspaper. A Maryland court recently overturned a rape conviction because the victim initially consented. Her subsequent withdrawal of consent was not considered sufficient to sustain the conviction. Coe quotes the court as saying, “It was the act […]
Continue reading Smith Sophian: “Definition of ‘no’ should not be debated in cases of rape”
Afternic is a reseller of Internet domain names. Today they announced that they will “no longer accept domain names that promote hate, sex, obscenity or self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse, violence and gambling.” Afternic explains: The sole rationale behind our decision is to make Afternic a more comfortable site for mainstream domain name shoppers, […]
Continue reading Corporate Self-Restraint at Leading Domain-Name Exchange
NoPornNorthampton emailed the following message to Robert J. Greeley on Saturday. Having received no response, we now share it with the public. We invite those of similar opinion to contact Mr. Greeley.Dear Mr. Greeley,In August, you wrote to a Northampton resident stating that you personally would have rejected Capital Video as a tenant for 135 […]
[Updated: 3/4/07, 6/1/08] The official site for Nye County, Nevada contains a large trove of research on adult-use zoning and the secondary effects of adult businesses. This compilation of studies (PDF) spans a wide range of times and places in America, and we have augmented it here with links from Community Defense Counsel. Some highlights: […]
Continue reading Secondary Effects Across America: 1977-1999
From “Is it Safe to Walk? Neighborhood Safety and Security Considerations and Their Effects on Walking”, Journal of Planning Literature, February 2006 (p. 225): The importance of walking and physical activity as determinants of good health has been well established in the medical and public health literature, but a significant number of Americans live sedentary […]
Islip, NY published a detailed strategy and rationale for regulating adult businesses through zoning (PDF) in 1980. Here are some of their findings which have a bearing on Northampton’s new ordinances, especially the desire to keep downtown Northampton pedestrian-friendly: Planning relies heavily on public participation, both by federal government mandate and by professional standards. The principle […]
In the adult-use zoning ordinances approved by Northampton’s City Council on November 2, some of the justifications are to preserve Northampton’s pedestrian-friendly character: The City has historically valued the preservation and expansion of dense, safe, pedestrian-scale neighborhoods and development that enable residents to walk to school, services, recreation, and other activities. More specifically, such pedestrian-scale […]
Continue reading Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Bookends Porn Shop in Enfield
Strictly Speaking Spanking, a magazine on sale at Bookends of Enfield, calls itself “entertainment for consenting adults”. On reading the magazine, however, one could be forgiven for becoming confused about the role of consent in the entertainment. SSS publishes a letter from Allison in California: “David, don’t you dare spank me!” I shrieked, feeling only […]
Continue reading Punishment Porn: “Whether-She-Wants-It-Or-Not” (explicit)
Looks like the folks at Mopornnorthampton are easily flattered. A Mr. “Ulysses Lazarus” from Neurocam is apparently trying to play both sides of the issue today… To Mopornnorthampton: Dear Sir/Madam: As a duly appointed representative of Neurocam International, I am taking the opportunity to voice the support of the entire Neurocam family for your operation. […]