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"Harmful to Minors"; (5) city amendments prohibiting minors from viewing or purchasing sexually <br /> oriented materials (enforced physical barriers). <br /> AUSTIN, TEXAS <br /> May 19, 1986 <br /> The report was the basis for developing an amendment to existing sexually oriented <br /> business ordinances. At the time, 49 such businesses operated in Austin, mostly bookstores, <br /> theaters, massage parlors and topless bars. The study examined crime rates, property values <br /> and trade area characteristics. The study is also useful because it summarizes many other city <br /> studies. <br /> The report focused on sexually related crimes in four study areas (with sexually oriented <br /> businesses) and four control areas (close to study areas and similar). Two study areas had one <br /> sexually oriented business and the others had two such businesses. To determine the effects <br /> of these businesses on property values, the city sent surveys to 120 real estate appraising or <br /> landing firms (nearly half responded). For trade area characteristics, three businesses (a <br /> bookstore, theater and topless bar) were observed on a weekend night to determine customer <br /> addresses. <br /> Sexually related crime ranged from 177 to 482 percent higher in the four study areas <br /> than the city average. In the two study areas containing two sexually oriented businesses, the <br /> rate was 66 percent higher than in the study areas with one such business. All control areas <br /> had crime rates near the city average. <br /> Eighty-eight percent said that a sexually oriented business within one block of a <br /> residential area decreases the value of the homes de said percent 33 depreciation would be at <br /> ( p p <br /> least 20 percent). Respondents also said such a business is a sign of neighborhood decline, <br /> making underwriters hesitant to approve the 90 to 95 percent financing most home buyers <br /> require. They said commercial property is also negatively affected by such businesses. <br /> Of 81 license plates traced for owner addresses, only three lived within one mile of the <br /> sexually oriented business; 44 percent were from outside Austin. <br /> The report recommended: (1) sexually oriented businesses should be limited to highway <br /> or regionally-oriented zone districts; (2) businesses should be dispersed to avoid concentration; <br /> and (3) conditional use permits should be required for these businesses. <br /> BEAUMONT, TEXAS <br /> September 14, 1982 <br /> 11 <br /> 000024 <br />