Cheshire Bridge Road ordinances postponed yet again

[ATLTJL]

But what happens when a bunch of uppity suburban transplants move in and try to gentrify the area and then push out the businesses claiming that residents were there for years before the sex industry came and now they want it out????

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

But what happens when a bunch of uppity suburban transplants move in and try to gentrify the area and then push out the businesses claiming that residents were there for years before the sex industry came and now they want it out????

Well, that would be different from situations like Cheshire Bridge since the neighborhoods were there long before the sex industry started encroaching.

Still, even if the yuppies did start moving into south downtown, they'd have to do the same thing that Cheshire Bridge and other areas have done -- you have to work on the solution for many years, do complete corridor studies, and then start getting them implemented piece by piece. You have to be patient as it may take 10-20 years or more. As is the case at Cheshire Bridge, you have to give notice to nonconforming uses and allow a sunset period of several years for them to come into compliance. Most likely you will have to allow for an extension of that period as well if they can show a legal hardship.

However, if they are patient and persistent and fair about the process, they can gradually change their neighborhood. As I've mentioned, there are many good examples of that all around town. That's the way cities work.

[arjay57]

Looks like they are trying to do the same thing in Johns Creek.

You have to wonder about the negative attitudes toward these adult businesses. They wouldn't be in Johns Creek if there weren't a demand for them.


Johns Creek residents want city to push out massage parlors | www.wsbtv.com

During citizen comment, Duane Armstrong said darkly lit massage parlors have sprung up along Medlock Bridge Road. Websites advertising their services are "blatant and in your face," he said. These establishments are offering sex for sale.

He said he found eight parlors in one 3- to 4-mile area. "Client reviews" leave no doubt as to what transpires inside, he said.

Larry Hamlin rose to say that he was concerned that such parlors will affect the city's brand and affect property values.

Dr. Glenda Brown said while talking to a teenage patient, he told her how students would go to these places for "massages."

"Our teenagers should not be exposed to this," she said.

The residents were told while the City Council does not respond at that meeting to public comment, this time they would allow City Manager John Kachmar to explain after the meeting Johns Creek's attempts to rid the city of such businesses and why they have been largely unsuccessful.

Some 40 or so hung around to hear what Kachmar, City Attorney Bill Riley and Police Chief Ed Densmore had to say.

The news was not encouraging. There are 12 massage parlors operating in the city. While some are lawfully run businesses, others are well-organized sex shops.

Densmore explained that his officers can make undercover arrests of the girls – and have made seven or eight arrests. But it is time-consuming and takes manpower. The undercover officer must have corroboration so he wears a wire to record what is said. Other officers nearby are listening and are also necessary for security.

"But these people have been doing this a long time. Often nothing happens the first time or second. They want to build a relationship before anything happens," Densmore said.

Kachmar said even making these cases doesn't do much good. Usually the girl is bonded out and merely pays a fine. She may be sent to another house in another county or another state.

More...NorthFulton.com | Massage parlors draw public ire: Johns Creek residents complain businesses thinly disguised sex dens

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Looks like they are trying to do the same thing in Johns Creek.

You have to wonder about the negative attitudes toward these adult businesses. They wouldn't be in Johns Creek if there weren't a demand for them.


Johns Creek residents want city to push out massage parlors | www.wsbtv.com

What about the kids, someone think about the kids?!

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

What about the kids, someone think about the kids?!

Where are the parents??

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Where are the parents??

At the "massage" parlors?

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jsvh

At the "massage" parlors?

Good dads bring their kids with them. Teach'em while their young.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by cqholt

What about the kids, someone think about the kids?!

What about the kids?

The venues are 21+

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

What about the kids?

The venues are 21+

Good point. You sort of get the idea that the folks in Johns Creek just think they are too good for this.

[ATLTJL]

Please, you are comparing apples to oranges.

The adult businesses we are talking about on Cheshire Bridge Road are strip clubs, adult book stores, and porno booths. You don't have to necessarily like these businesses, but there is nothing illegal about them. To shut down a legitimate business just because you don't like what they are doing doesn't seem fair to me.

HOWEVER, if you want to shut down a business because it is providing an illegal service, that is a different story altogether.

Having said that, the residents of Johns Creek don't have to bother with ordinances and laws, since the laws are already on the books. All they really have to do is put pressure on Johns Creek police to launch investigations and bust the places that are providing illegal services.

The difference we are talking about is passing new laws targeting legitimate businesses versus targeting illegal businesses using laws that are already on the books.

Having said that, I kind of agree that the hub bub in Johns Creek is a little amusing. I mean, I don't necessarily have a problem with the massage parlors anyway so long as they are well kept up and don't attract crime. I have seen a few of them and wondered if they were legitimate or brothels like the ones on Piedmont Circle are. Johns Creek does have a significant Asian population and massage is a large part of the Asian culture, so I'm not 100% positive that anything illegal is happening at them, or at least at some of them. Instead of trying to do something crazy like putting a limit on a specific type of business which seems unconstitutional to me, the police should just do their jobs and figure out which ones they need to close down and let the rest stay in business. And the residents need to just chill a little, just like the Pine Hills residents do.