PASADENA – The city avoided a potential lawsuit last week when it decided to drop an emergency ordinance preventing any new adult businesses from entering town.

Attorney Roger Diamond [pictured] said he would have sued the city if it had passed the 45-day moratorium, which would have come less than three weeks after his client, Greg Hakopyan, filed an application to open the city’s second adult-themed shop.

During what was to be a second reading of the ordinance last Monday night, city officials said unresolved constitutional questions forced them to drop the moratorium.

Mayor Bill Bogaard said the city would still review new regulations for adult businesses.

Hakopyan wants to open his store on the site of the former Shakey’s Pizza at 2180 E. Foothill Blvd. His business license application will now be processed, city officials said.