MONROE - After the Browntown Village Board received complaints that a local business is allowing stripping, it has found itself unable to do anything to stop it.
The village doesn't have any ordinances to zone or regulate adult entertainment, and creating a new law that impacts an existing business could be costly and ultimately unsuccessful.
Village Board President John Schmitt told the board and residents Tuesday that any decision the board made in relation to adult entertainment could be challenged, and the village could incur thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend its ordinance.
"There's no guarantee that we would win (in a legal challenge)," he said.
About 20 people attended the village's monthly board meeting in February to register concerns and complaints. Until complaints are made with the Green County Sheriff's Department, the village can't do anything about stripping.
Browntown is unique in Green County in that all the other towns and cities have ordinances regarding adult entertainment.
Monticello doesn't allow any adult entertainment businesses, according to village Clerk Joel Dutenhoefer.
He said the village doesn't have any special zoning laws or permits to allow any adult entertainment business.
Monroe's ordinance prohibits adult entertainment businesses within 300 feet of a single-family residential district, a multiple-family residential district, mobile home parks or subdivision districts, the central business district, a church, licensed daycare, public library, park or private schools, elementary schools, high schools or community living arrangement.
The ordinance, passed in 2005, says the city council determined that adult-oriented businesses can contribute to increased criminal activity and can have an adverse effect on the surrounding area.
"The purpose of these regulations is to control through zoning the location and operational characteristics so as to minimize the detrimental effect on the character of the city's residential neighborhoods and commercial areas," the ordinance says.
In New Glarus, the adult entertainment zoning code requires all owners to be at least 18 years old, without past ordinance violations, and operate in a building that meets zoning requirements. Each license ends in one year and the owner of an adult entertainment business must file for a new license within 60 days after the license expires.
The ordinance prohibits sales of liquor or beer.
Albany's ordinance doesn't mention adult dancing, but it does require a permit for any kind of dancing. The ordinance also gives the village board authority to revoke the license for disorderly or immoral conduct.
Brodhead's license also gives the city council authority to revoke any businesses that are considered "adult."
The Browntown Village Board decided Tuesday it would look at the issue later in the year to try to establish an ordinance to regulate adult entertainment in the future.
The village doesn't have any ordinances to zone or regulate adult entertainment, and creating a new law that impacts an existing business could be costly and ultimately unsuccessful.
Village Board President John Schmitt told the board and residents Tuesday that any decision the board made in relation to adult entertainment could be challenged, and the village could incur thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend its ordinance.
"There's no guarantee that we would win (in a legal challenge)," he said.
About 20 people attended the village's monthly board meeting in February to register concerns and complaints. Until complaints are made with the Green County Sheriff's Department, the village can't do anything about stripping.
Browntown is unique in Green County in that all the other towns and cities have ordinances regarding adult entertainment.
Monticello doesn't allow any adult entertainment businesses, according to village Clerk Joel Dutenhoefer.
He said the village doesn't have any special zoning laws or permits to allow any adult entertainment business.
Monroe's ordinance prohibits adult entertainment businesses within 300 feet of a single-family residential district, a multiple-family residential district, mobile home parks or subdivision districts, the central business district, a church, licensed daycare, public library, park or private schools, elementary schools, high schools or community living arrangement.
The ordinance, passed in 2005, says the city council determined that adult-oriented businesses can contribute to increased criminal activity and can have an adverse effect on the surrounding area.
"The purpose of these regulations is to control through zoning the location and operational characteristics so as to minimize the detrimental effect on the character of the city's residential neighborhoods and commercial areas," the ordinance says.
In New Glarus, the adult entertainment zoning code requires all owners to be at least 18 years old, without past ordinance violations, and operate in a building that meets zoning requirements. Each license ends in one year and the owner of an adult entertainment business must file for a new license within 60 days after the license expires.
The ordinance prohibits sales of liquor or beer.
Albany's ordinance doesn't mention adult dancing, but it does require a permit for any kind of dancing. The ordinance also gives the village board authority to revoke the license for disorderly or immoral conduct.
Brodhead's license also gives the city council authority to revoke any businesses that are considered "adult."
The Browntown Village Board decided Tuesday it would look at the issue later in the year to try to establish an ordinance to regulate adult entertainment in the future.