Kentucky- Some southeastern Kentucky leaders say they’ll be ready if a porn shop opens in their county.

Officials in Bell County passed the first reading of an ordinance that would regulate adult businesses.

Bell County leaders say the ordinance regulating adult businesses is a precautionary measure.

“We wanted to have an ordinance in place in case somebody does come to Bell County and open an adult entertainment store or sex store, we hope no one is coming to bell county but if they do we wanted to have an ordinance in place,” County Attorney, Neil Ward.

Bell County officials say now is the time to get the ordinance put in to place before an adult business tries to come in to the county unexpectedly. That’s what Knox County has been dealing with for the past few months.

“I haven’t had anybody come up to me and say we need to get this ordinance passed Neil but as a lawyer and knowing what was going on in Knox County I knew we needed that and since we have prepared this ordinance we have had some people come and say we’re glad you did it,” Ward said.

The ordinance has many provisions but would not apply to video stores that rent X-Rated movies.

“It can’t be within one thousand feet of a church, a daycare center, a public or private elementary school, and it has to be a thousand feet from any parcel with a structure used for residential purposes,” Ward said.

Leaders think the new ordinance will keep the adult stores away.

The second reading of the ordinance is expected to be passed at the next fiscal court meeting.