BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The Township Committee is considering a plan to make it more difficult for adult bookstores and adult video stores to open in areas near homes, schools, public parks and places of religious worship.

The committee has introduced an amendment that would change the existing ordinance regulating the distance adult-use stores must be from certain buildings. A public hearing on the amendment is scheduled for Feb. 9.

If the amendment is adopted, the ordinance will prohibit adult-use businesses within 1,000 feet of a residential district, place of worship, public or private school, or community recreation area, such as a park or playground.

The amendment would permit an adult-use business within 1,000 feet of a bar or liquor store. All adult establishments must be free-standing buildings, according to the ordinance. Officials said the change in the ordinance is needed in order to comply with state law. The discrepancy was discovered during a review of the township’s Master Plan. The old ordinance required a buffer of only 200 feet, officials said.

Although there currently is only one such adult-use establishment in the township – the Video Emporium is located on Route 206 – officials see the amendment as pre-emptive because it would keep similar businesses from locating in inappropriate areas as new development comes to the Route 130 and Route 206 corridors.