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Dirty Half-Dozen One Too Many?
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Business New Haven
9/30/2002
By: BNH
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MILFORD ‹ Is Milford morphing into Sin City?
That s what some town residents fear as they gird for the opening of a new adult video and novelty store on the Post Road ‹ which would be the town s sixth such establishment. Such opponents have asserted that town officials should use any means at their disposal to keep Erotic Empire out, right down to measuring the distance to nearby schools and churches.
So far, however, the naysayers have struck out in their attempts to clean up the Post Road.
Meanwhile, only a few miles north in neighboring Orange, another adult-oriented store will open in early October. If so, it would be Orange s first and so far only gilded palace of sin.
Milford Assistant City Planner Peter W. Crabtree said he has measured the distances between the proposed store and nearby schools and churches, but none are within 300 feet, the magic number under city regulations.
You can see from the map, it s not even close, Crabtree said in a published report. I measured. It s just not there. There s nothing that can be done unless someone s opened a church recently that I haven t heard about.
G.Q. Associates LLC of Colchester plans to open an adults-only store at 9 Banner Drive, just off the Post Road. A G.Q. spokesperson said the store would be in full compliance with town zoning regulations. On September 26, according to Crabtree, G.Q. was awarded the necessary zoning permit to proceed to the final stage of approval from the town building inspectors. The store should be ready to open in late October or early November.
The company said expects to find strong customer support from in and around Milford. I think it s obvious that people want this business, the spokesperson said.
The store, one of about a dozen G.Q. operates statewide, would be more than 400 feet from the Little White House Learning Center nursery school and kindergarten and nearby Foundation High School.
Erotic Empire will not be far from VIP, or Very Intimate Pleasures, at 170 Boston Post Road in Orange, which is expected to open next month, a company representative said.
Orange officials opposed that outlet, but lost in April when a U.S. magistrate ruled the adult store could open because it is constitutionally protected. Under the judge s ruling, however, VIP may dedicate only 31 percent of its space to sexually related books, magazines and films. Additionally, there can t be peep shows, live exhibitions or suggestive signs or window displays.
Orange First Selectman Mitch Goldblatt said he was shocked at the apparent demand for adult materials in a high-visibility retail location. But attorneys for VIP said that anyone upset about the store simply ought to stay away.
In 1995 Milford adopted highly restrictive regulations on adult retail establishments. However, G.Q. Associates has apparently found one of a few sites that comply. Regulations prohibit such shops from locating within 150 feet of any residential zone or within 300 feet from schools, liquor outlets and places of worship.
Erotic Empire plans to sell G-strings, Playboy and Hustler wear, adult videotapes and other adult products. It will not feature live entertainment, food or liquor, a representative said. Shoppers under age 18 will not be permitted to enter the store.
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