BOERNE, Texas – from www.woai.com – City leaders in Boerne are now talking about tightening the reins on any sexually oriented businesses that wants to set up shop in their town. All the drama that the city of San Antonio has had to deal with regarding strip clubs is what prompted these discussions.
Boerne doesn’t have a single strip club in its city limits. City leaders say this just isn’t that kind of town, and they want to keep it that way.
When Stephanie Perales thinks of Boerne, Texas she thinks of quiet streets, antique shopping and a place to enjoy nature.
“It’s still away from the big city of San Antonio,” Stephanie told News 4 WOA!. “And people come here for the attractions like the river.”
Stephanie has lived in Boerne all her life and says the small town atmosphere is what keeps her around. The thought of a strip club in her town is almost unimaginable.
“I think it would be really out of place,” Stephanie said. “It would shock me if they put one here in Boerne.”
Boerne’s city council seems to agree.
“This is a very family oriented community. We get a lot of tourism, day-time tourism,” Boerne Public Relations Director Pamela Bransford pointed out.
Right now, strip clubs can only open in areas like an industrial zone; far from the city’s main tourist attractions. And now city leaders are considering making it harder for gentlemen’s clubs to open up anywhere in Boerne.
“It could be strengthening the zoning ordinance, for example,” Bransford explained. “Maybe requiring city council approval based on the nature of the business.”
Bransford says city leaders have seen San Antonio struggle with strip clubs over the last few years. They’ve heard of clubs opening near family businesses, schools and neighborhoods. With business booming in Boerne and growth heading in all directions, city leaders want to be proactive.
“We just assume that folks that are looking for that kind of entertainment go to San Antonio if that’s what they want to do. We just don’t have a customer base here for it,” Bransford told us.
Boerne’s city council will be discussing their sexually oriented business ordinance on Wednesday. While there’s no set plan in place yet, they’ll be kicking around ideas to see just how tight their restrictions can get without all-out banning these businesses from the city.