The Umatilla City Council will consider extending the moratorium on adult businesses at tonight’s meeting.
The Umatilla Planning Commission has been working to overhaul the city’s commercial zone code but, according to Umatilla City Manager Bob Ward, the commission’s work is not yet complete. On tonight’s agenda is an ordinance that would extend the current moratorium another 120 days.
In September, the council passed an initial 120-day moratorium on adult businesses. The moratorium prevents any new adult businesses – defined in the document as “activities characterized by live, closed circuit, digital, or reproduced material which has an emphasis on nudity and/or sexual activity” – from opening within the city.
Ward said the moratorium gives the city time to draft new business regulations which will likely cover adult businesses, medical marijuana dispensaries and other business and zoning concerns.
Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will consider a gaming application from Amanda’s Bar and Grill, formerly Nick’s Bar and Grill.
Not on the agenda tonight is an action to be taken by the council regarding the zoning dispute between the city and the Port of Umatilla. The two sides worked out an agreement in principle, but the language of the settlement has not yet been ironed out. Ward said if the two sides can’t come up with an agreement on the language, there will be a meeting on Jan. 23 to attempt to come to a resolution.
Tonight’s meeting is at 7 p.m. at Umatilla City Hall.
