August 22’s Gazette reports on the city’s efforts to include viewing booths in the purview of existing adult zoning regulations, and to regulate the signage of adult businesses. NPN provided details about this a few days ago.“They’re not trying to stop adult book stores or adult video stores, but how they present themselves to the […]
Ordinances and Regulations
City Council Meeting: Draft Ordinances Circulated
NoPornNorthampton presented 121 new petition signatures at the August 17 Northampton City Council meeting. NPN co-founder Adam Cohen urged city officials to help the owners of 135 King Street find a better tenant than a Capital Video porn shop. To date, NPN’s petition has been signed by 687 Northampton residents and 284 non-residents, or 971 […]
Major Changes Made to Proposed Zoning Law
After consulting with local residents, city officials, and Mark Carmien of Pride and Joy, we have decided to restrict our proposed ordinance to adult theaters, peep shows, and live nude shows. These adult uses appear to have the more serious “secondary effects” on their surroundings. Adult bookstores, video stores and paraphernalia stores are now excluded […]
Minor Change Made to Proposed Zoning Law; More Updates Likely
After consulting with city officials, NoPornNorthampton has reduced the proposed buffer zone around adult theaters and live nude shows from 1,000 feet to 500 feet. This is to address concerns that the wider zone was too restrictive. See the revised zoning proposal.Later this month we are likely to make further revisions to address concerns that […]
The Republican: “Anti-porn effort criticized”
NPN appreciates all of you who turned out on a hot night to attend our August 2 public meeting. As The Republican reports in today’s paper, we heard from several people concerned that our materials could be perceived as anti-gay. This is not our intention. Our goals are to be accurate and comprehensive in discussing […]
USA Today: “Sex shops infiltrate small towns”
Some people have wondered why Capital Video chose Northampton for a porn shop. A USA Today article from 2003 suggests a reason…Until the 61-foot-tall sign appeared one morning along Interstate 70, no one from Abilene, Kan., knew that the former Stuckey’s truck stop just outside of town had been remade into an “adult superstore” that […]
Gazette: “Northampton residents speak out against porn shop”
July 21: From the Gazette’s report on the July 20 Northampton City Council meeting… “‘The 20 viewing booths is really what gets me,’ Gregory Squire, of 25 Summer St. told the council. He said he is ‘blessed with a panoramic view of 135 King St.’ from his home…. “The Rev. Joseph Soltysiak, of St. Valentine’s […]
WSHM Springfield: “Northampton Residents Protest Porn Shop”
July 20: Springfield CBS affiliate WSHM reported on Northampton citizens’ objections to the proposed King Street porn shop: “‘The more we found [out], the more we were concerned and most people are too,’ said Adam Cohen, who is against the shop being in his neighborhood…. “Residents say the content isn’t necessarily the problem…they’re concerned about […]
Republican: “Council hears citizens’ concerns”
July 21: The Republican reports on the July 20 Northampton City Council meeting… “Concerns about an adult video store and a special district that would exempt Smith College from most zoning requirements dominated a marathon public comment session at last night’s City Council meeting. “Thirty people spent 75 minutes sharing their thoughts with the council […]
Gazette: “Porn shop, other matters on busy Thursday agenda”
July 19: The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that NPN will present petitions to the Northampton City Council meeting on July 20. “The petition asks the city to create an ordinance that would restrict locations of adult theaters and businesses where adult films or live performances are viewed; passing health regulations banning closed-door viewing booths; restricting […]