Friday, March 31, 2000
Monroe Hustler store likely to get OK
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — A controversial Hustler store appears headed for approval by the city, despite months of vocal protests from church leaders and other residents.
Papers filed with the city this week by Jimmy Flynt indicate the business will be a retail store, not a sexually oriented business, although adult-oriented items will be stocked.
“I would think at the next planning commission meeting (April 19) they would be on for a site plan review,” said Philip Callahan, city law director. “I see no basis at this time not to approve that site plan.”
If that plan clears the planning commission, and the building permit requirements are met, no City Council action is needed and there will be no more public hearings on the matter, Mr. Callahan said.
“If they're zoned correctly and they come in with a site plan and it meets the requirements of our codes, then there's not much to argue about,” he said.
The Rev. Ron Walters, pastor of Monroe Christian Church and spokesman for the Monroe Ministerial Association, said it's disappointing opponents will have no other public forum to air complaints. But he realizes the city's hands are tied.
“We'll continue to pray that something will change Jimmy Flynt's heart,” the Rev. Mr. Walters said. “That's the best weapon we have right now.” But if the store opens and sells smut, the opposition will be loud and clear, he said.
Mr. Flynt, brother of Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, applauded the news Thursday that the battle to build the Hustler store at Ohio 63 and Interstate 75 might be nearly over. He said he plans to start site work in a week or so, and be ready to begin construction when the building permit is in hand, with a goal to open in July.
“That's great. It's about time,” Mr. Flynt said. “I've been trying to tell them for months it's not a sexually oriented business. I guess it finally sunk in.” He said the city has been “jerking me around and trying to delay my start plans.”
Mr. Callahan said the delays stemmed from incomplete site plans filed in early March, and failure of Mr. Flynt's representatives to respond to letters from Zoning Enforce ment Officer Jay Stewart and City Engineer Bill Brock, asking for additional information.
Mr. Callahan said the lack of details prompted him last week to recommend the city planning commission delay action on the site plans.
And despite clarifying remarks at that meeting by Louis Sirkin, Mr. Flynt's attorney, the city needed detailed, written confirmation, Mr. Callahan said.
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