Vacaville- A temporary, emergency suspension on adult businesses in Vacaville is up again for review by the City Council.

Last month Secrets Lingerie Boutique stirred up quite the controversy when it opened for business May 30 at 1581 East Monte Vista Ave., the previous site for WW Outfitters, a western retail business.

The opening was just moments before the Vacaville City Council unanimously adopted an interim ordinance as an urgency measure to instill a moratorium on the approval, construction or establishment of adult businesses – including those that sell or lease adult merchandise – within the city.

The building that was once filled with cowboy boots and hats, Wranglers and western accessories is now stocked with men’s and women’s lingerie, lubricants and costumes, with a secluded area in the back for adult toys and DVDs.

“We operate adult stores and we operate nonadult stores throughout California and Hawaii,” according to a written statement on the store’s Web site, www.mysecretsboutique.com

“We are expanding our nonadult store division in response to an increasing demand from female customers and couples who desire a more ’boutique’ type store that caters to the entire romantic experience between consenting adults.”

Vacaville’s ordinance will be in effect for 45 days, unless extended for an additional period of up to 10 months and 15 days. The ordinance will have no impact on Secrets, as long as the store opened legally, which Secrets management maintains is the case.

City Attorney Gerald Hobrecht explained in a staff report that the moratorium was issued for the purpose to promote public health, safety and welfare while city staff analyzes and prepares a study on potential changes to the city’s regulations.

“The moratorium applies to any new adult business, including those that sell, lease, trade or exchange or offer for sale, lease trade or exchange adult products, items or merchandise,” the staff report said.

During Hobrecht’s analysis, he has reviewed the definition of adult store, which is currently defined in the city of Vacaville as an establishment whose principal business is the rental, selling, viewing or use of adult merchandise such as videos, book, magazines, instruments and devices.

He also explained that cities cannot ban adult-oriented businesses from its limits, but at most a city can regulate the location of that type of business, usually through its zoning.

Secrets’ District Manager Jim Lukes has said that because the store’s focus is on lingerie, it does not fall into the spectrum of “adult store.”

“Secrets Boutique’s principal business is lingerie and associated novelty gifts such as candles, aromatherapy products, massage oils, and bath and body products,” said the written statement.

The explanation went on to say that, “Secrets Boutique intends to sell a limited number of adult items as defined by the Vacaville Adult Use Ordinance.”

The property were Secrets sits is actually owned by the Murillo family which owns the restaurant next door and leased the neighboring property to the Blackburn family, operators of WW Outfitters. After the western clothing store closed, the Blackburns subleased the building to Foxy Lady of Hawaii, Inc.

How Foxy Lady of Hawaii, Inc., is related to Secrets is still unknown at this point, according to the Murillos and Hobrecht.

Hobrecht explained in a staff report that, “If the city does not extend the interim ordinance, the potential exists for the approval, construction, or establishment of adult business within the city, with the accompanying adverse secondary impacts, while the study is in progress.”

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chamber, 650 Merchant St.