Houston City Council may move to block 'robot brothel' from opening near Galleria

PHOTOS: Sex dolls Doll from Real Love Sex Dolls, one of the largest sellers of ultra-realistic dolls in the U.S. located in Austin. >>Check out the realistic-looking dolls created by this Texas company... less PHOTOS: Sex dolls Doll from Real Love Sex Dolls, one of the largest sellers of ultra-realistic dolls in the U.S. located in Austin. >>Check out the realistic-looking dolls created by this Texas ... more Photo: Courtesy Of RLSD LP. / Courtesy Of RLSD LP. Photo: Courtesy Of RLSD LP. / Courtesy Of RLSD LP. Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Houston City Council may move to block 'robot brothel' from opening near Galleria 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Mayor Sylvester Turner will ask the City Council this week to change Houston's rules on sexually oriented businesses, a change that could prevent a so-called "robot brothel" from opening near the Galleria.

Toronto-based KinkySdollS had announced plans to open a Houston branch where "adult love dolls" constructed of synthetic skin and highly articulated skeletons would be available "to rent before you buy."

City inspectors, however, have stopped work at the company's chosen storefront at Richmond and Chimney Rock, saying a renovation job had begun there without the proper permits in place.

If the council agrees to bring such a shop under its sexually oriented business regulations this week, the business could be prevented from opening at that location entirely.

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Traditional sexually oriented businesses, such as strip clubs, long have been prevented from operating within 1,500 feet of churches, schools, day cares, parks and residential neighborhoods. The city-owned Anderson Park is just a few hundred feet from KinkySdollS' proposed storefront.

"I stand ready to work with (Turner) city departments and District J citizens to stop this unwanted business," district Councilman Mike Laster tweeted. "District J deserves better."

The portion of the ordinance Turner wants to revise addresses "adult arcades," where customers view adult content using an "arcade device."

The council would amend the definition of an "arcade device" to include not just machines displaying video but also "anthropomorphic devices or objects," and would prohibit "entertainment with one or more persons using an arcade device on the premises."

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In short, the business could sell the dolls at its proposed location – such models reportedly sell for about $4,000 -- but repeated-use rentals would be banned.

"Because the proposed ordinance change is not aimed at any particular location," mayoral spokesman Alan Bernstein said, "it was drafted without regard to 'KinkySDollS.'"