Saturday, January 08, 2000
Flynt preparing designs for store
Monroe lawyers working on zoning proposal
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — Jimmy Flynt's dream is to open a new Hustler megastore here by March. To others, it's a nightmare.
Mr. Flynt said Thursday it's clear the grand opening is months away. But layer by layer, the preliminary red tape is being peeled off.
Meanwhile, Community Defense Counsel (CDC) in Scottsdale, Ariz., hired recently by Monroe to help strengthen its ordinances to fight sexually oriented businesses, is making strides. CDC attorneys have drafted proposed legislation that will be presented to Monroe within three weeks, said Scott Bergthold, CDC president.
He said portions of CDC's proposed new legislation could apply to the Flynt project.
By early next week Mr. Flynt, brother of Hustler Publisher Larry Flynt, said he will have a preliminary design in hand for the 8,000-square-foot, one-story building. By month's end he expects to present the plans for the store, which he wants to build at Ohio 63 and Interstate 75 next to Bristol's Show Club and Revue, to Monroe and Butler County officials.
He declined to name the Northern Kentucky firm doing the design, but said it builds nationally.
“In all reality it will probably be a four- to five-month project,” Jimmy Flynt said Thursday from Las Vegas, where he's attending a convention. “I suppose I was dreaming to have thought it would be in the spring.”
Monroe Mayor Elbert Tannreuther said many hope the store never materializes.
“Some say let it go, but the majority that we've seen come forth don't want this,” he said. “One person's dream is another person's nightmare. It's strictly a moral issue.”
The one-acre site on Lebanon Street was cleared Dec. 11 to make room for the store, which Mr. Flynt says will sell mainstream items and about 30 percent sexually oriented merchandise, including adult videos and sex toys.
“It will just be a fabulous looking building that will complement the community,” Mr. Flynt said. “It will not look like some kind of cabaret or anything like that, but will look like an upscale retail outlet. It will be eye-catching, clearly visible from the interstate through lighting and signage.”
But before the first shovel of dirt can be turned, several steps must be taken.
They start with reviews by City Engineer William Brock, including drainage and lighting issues. Then Monroe's planning commission must approve a site plan, before a building permit can be issued by Butler County, said City Manager Don Whitman.
It's too early to say whether the Flynt project will be on the Feb. 16 planning commission agenda, Mr. Whitman said.
A county plan examiner's review to ensure plans conform to state code averages seven to 10 days, said Steve Soltis, Butler County building and zoning administrator. If the plans don't comply and are rejected, the process could be delayed indefinitely, he said.
“I expect to present my plans in a professional manner, and I expect a timely response,” Mr. Flynt said. “As long as they treat me like everyone else, there's no prob lem. But if not, then I'll have my lawyers step in.”
Mayor Tannreuther said Mr. Flynt will receive standard treatment.
“But I would think he's talking late March or early April before he can get started. That's just the way the system works,” the mayor said.
And regardless of residents' pleas for the city to block the Hustler store, “there is nothing we will do, could do or should do to try to stop this, even if it's the devil himself,” as long as the building and site conform to codes, the mayor said. “But when we see what's sold out of that store, if it doesn't conform, that's where the ... battle lines are drawn. Once that edifice to immorality is built, then we'll go to battle.”
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