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Goodland adopts two ordinances tightening adult-entertainment rules; planning commission recommended 5% inventory threshold
Summary
City commissioners passed two ordinances that revise local adult-entertainment definitions and establish licensing rules: a 5% inventory/floor-area threshold to classify an establishment and a licensing fee structure (ordinance numbers 17-96 and 17-97). One commissioner recorded a dissent on the licensing fee vote.
The Goodland City Commission approved two ordinances aimed at updating the city code for adult-entertainment establishments, adopting a measurable 5% inventory threshold for classification and establishing a licensing fee structure.
City staff told commissioners the planning commission had recommended a 5% rule: if more than 5% of a store’s inventory or floor area is adult-oriented material, the business would be classified as an adult-entertainment establishment and be subject to conditional-use permitting and licensing requirements. Staff said the thousand-foot distance requirement for certain adult-entertainment categories would remain in the zoning code.
A planning commissioner explained the benefit of a measurable standard: “The idea though of having a measurable unit … gives you a clear line in the sand,” the planning representative said, arguing a specific percent is easier to apply than a vague standard. Staff clarified that the 5% measure refers to inventory (not gross receipts) and that enforcement would be complaint-driven and require investigation before reclassification.
On licensing, the ordinance as presented set an annual nonrefundable licensing fee of $2,000 and a first-year application fee (as transcribed) of $2.50. Commissioners debated whether that licensing fee was disproportionately high compared with other business licenses. One commissioner said the planning commission did its homework and recommended the fee; another dissented on principle, arguing the city should not use fees to make a business difficult to operate.
After discussion, the commission voted to approve ordinance 17-96 (zoning/definitions) and ordinance 17-97 (licensing). Roll-call voting was recorded; ordinance 17-97 passed with one recorded 'no' vote.
The ordinances were returned from the planning commission with the recommendations noted; staff will move forward with implementation steps including conditional-use permitting where required.
