COVINGTON — The issue of where to put sexually oriented businesses unwanted by neighbors, but legally allowed to operate, will be discussed next week by a group charged with updating Kenton County's comprehensive plan.

        In a letter sent Friday to area planners, Covington Mayor Butch Callery suggested that they review where sexually oriented business districts should be located, as they update Kenton County's five-year comprehensive plan that serves as a guide for growth and development.

        Last week, Covington officials learned that a $550,000 state grant to renovate the historic Odd Fellows Hall could be in jeopardy because of the city's attempt to establish an adult entertainment district for businesses such as nightclubs and bookstores in the neighborhood where the hall is located.

        As a result, city officials are postponing a vote to create such a district, and a mayor's committee, headed by Covington lawyer Mary Ann Stewart, has been formed to study the issue.

        In his letter to Kenton County planners, Mr. Callery asked that they consider establishing sexually oriented business districts in industrial zones or other zoning districts in Kenton County.

        And he asked area planners whether a countywide district could be established to serve all 21 Kenton County cities, including Covington.

        The U.S. Supreme Court has told cities that they have to let sexually oriented businesses operate, Mr. Callery said.

        However, he said that when four Kenton County cities approached the planning commission about adding such businesses in industrial zones, they were turned down.

        Bill Bowdy, executive director of the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, said that he will bring up Mr. Callery's concerns at the next meeting of the joint planning commission, on Oct. 10.

        The joint planning commission includes representatives of the Kenton County and Municipal Planning and Zoning Commission and other county residents and business people.

        Mr. Bowdy said one reason why planners may be reluctant to locate sexually oriented businesses in industrial zones is the lack of relatively flat land in Kenton County that's conducive to industrial use.

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