Fort Madison, Iowa- Fort Madison’s ordinance regarding “sexually oriented businesses” has been revised to clear up any misunderstanding regarding two video stores selling adult videos or new businesses in the community’s future.

The Planning & Zoning Commission decided Tuesday night that such businesses as Mr. Movies and J & D Videos will not be classified as sexually oriented businesses so long as they do not expand the adult section of their stores or have those sales and their inventories constitute more than 33 percent of their total sales.

Ed Basch, the city’s planning and zoning director, said the issue was brought to his attention by City Councilor Dave Sallen in response to citizens’ concerns about a sexually oriented business located two miles out of the city on Burlington Hill.

“It was way outside the city limits so even if we had something on the books (that prohibited it) we couldn’t do anything about it,” Basch said. “But these concerns did cause us to look at it and make recommendations.”

The proposed ordinance, along with a recommendation for its passage, will be forwarded to the Fort Madison City Council for consideration at its regular meeting Sept. 5.

Basch said commissioners agreed that the two local video stores having adult films could be grandfathered in so long as their adult film inventory and related sales did not exceed 33 percent of the total inventory and total sales.

“These recommendations are more directed at strip clubs, massage parlors, and as a means to prohibit these types of activities,” Basch said.

It has been several years since P & Z commissioners have had to consider businesses selling adult films or sex-related products. About five years ago the owner of a consignment shop at the corner of Avenue H and 18th Street considered expanding to include sexually-oriented gag gifts and marital aids. The issue brought a crowd of 40-some residents to the city council chambers (before those chambers were remodeled) and in the end, the P & Z voted against any permit that would allow the business to carry those products. At the time, the fact that the consignment shop was located across the street from the Fort Madison Middle School was cited by several opposing the addition of the sex-related products.

The existing ordinance states no “sexually oriented business” can operate within 2,000 feet of any school, daycare center, church, park, youth center or location dominated by minors. But the proposed amendment further defines “sexually oriented businesses,” lists products and services prohibited, outlines licensing provisions and details the inspection process.