If a sexually oriented business wants to open in Coweta County, it will have to locate in an industrial area far away from any residents.

That's one of the major conditions drafted in a proposed ordinance to regulate sex businesses that the Coweta County Commission will vote on Feb. 1.

Last week, the commission had a lengthy public hearing on the 33-page document. More than 20 interested citizens showed up to offer their opinions on the ordinance and all praised the commission and staff for their work on the ordinance.

County attorney Mitch Powell explained the county had researched every known ordinance they can find on the issue and tried to make Coweta's the strongest ordinance possible.

County Commissioner Lawrence Nelms told the audience that the county is enacting the ordinance to try and regulate the industry as much as possible.

“We're not doing this to try and bring these businesses into the county. Right now, they could come in since we don't have an ordinance,” he said.

Highlights of the ordinance include:

• The business cannot be within 1,500 feet of any school, religious institution, public park, day care center or residence.

• The business cannot be within 1,000 feet of another sexually related business.

• The business can be located only in an industrial area.

• No alcohol can be sold at the business.

• Workers at the business are not allowed to accept tips.

• All workers must complete a background check.

• Workers are not allowed to be within three feet of customers.

Commissioner Jim McGuffey complimented Powell's work on the document, but said he would favor even stronger measures.

“I've seen some legal cases that upheld workers not being allowed within six feet of customers and I'd like to see that,” he said.

A local minister agreed with McGuffey's assessment.

“I like what I'm hearing and I ask you to leave no stone unturned in making this stronger,” said Ken Adams, who is pastor at Crossroads Baptist Church in Sharpsburg.

The commissioners would normally have voted on the issue last Tuesday, but decided to wait until February to make sure any strengthening of the document would be completed.

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