By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - This suburban township has increased its regulation of adult entertainment businesses.

Township trustees approved two ordinances Tuesday to tighten zoning codes, requiring licensing and creating a zoning district in the township's southwest corner for "sexually oriented businesses."

West Chester leaders want tough regulations in place before any adult clubs move in. The township has at least four adult entertainment businesses - two stores that sell adult items, a gas station that sells adult magazines and one video store - but no adult nightclubs.

"We are trying to be proactive to insure we keep this industry under control," Trustee Catherine Stoker said. "We have as stringent restrictions the law can allow and that we can defend successfully in court."

The township hired a consultant to help put together the two ordinances, Cleveland State University law and urban planning professor Alan Weinstein, an expert on adult businesses.

Weinstein says sexually oriented businesses can negatively impact the surrounding area.

One of the ordinances restricts adult entertainment businesses to West Chester's warehouse district, south of Port Union Road and west of Ohio 747.

It also requires the businesses to remain 500 feet from churches, schools and other adult businesses.

The second ordinance requires that adult nightclubs be licensed by the township.

Trustees also agreed Tuesday to ask for a hearing after they received notice of request to change the ownership of the liquor permit at one sexually oriented business, Pik Kwik Market on Ohio 747. The request is to change the ownership to a man who has been indicted on four charges of pandering obscenity at the store.

Jeffrey R. Busemeyer, manager of the Pik Kwik, is accused of allowing the store to sell obscene videos. He is fighting the charges and a trial is scheduled for September.

In other action Tuesday, trustees:

• Approved spending an additional $13,900 for a $3 million to $4 million renovation project on the Muhlhauser Barn, which is being turned into a community conference center at Beckett Park.

• Heard a request to give the Community Foundation of West Chester and Liberty Township $125,000 over five years starting in 2004.

E-mail: jedwards@enquirer.com.