Troy

The City Council rejected a proposed adult entertainment district in South Troy along the Hudson River Thursday night in a 5-4 vote

"Nobody wants this in their neighborhood," said Councilman Ken Zalewski, whose district includes part of South Troy and voted against the measure.

"Seventy acres of pornography is too much," said Councilman Rodney Wiltshire.

Mayor Lou Rosamilia's administration had worked on developing the proposed ordinance that identified 70 acres in an industrial tract along the riverfront as the zone after reviewing available areas throughout the city.

Rosamilia said the city has to resolve the adult business zoning issue and can't leave its residents unprotected. He said he would not wait for the development of the city's new comprehensive plan to deal with the matter.

The city now will have to review each potential request to locate an adult entertainment business without the restrictions set out in the proposed zoning change.

"I don't want to see the entire city open to this type of business. We have to do some restrictive zoning," said Council President Lynn Kopka, who supported the ordinance.

The city goes to court next Thursday to face a lawsuit filed by Your Place LLC, an adult entertainment business, which opened up on Fourth Street and was shut by the city several years ago. Corporation Counsel Ian Silverman said the lawsuit was filed by Michael Liberatore of Utica.

The council voted down the measure after several residents spoke against it.

"We should be working to make South Troy into a desirable residential district," said P. Thomas Carroll, executive director of Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, which is headquartered in the proposed adult entertainment zone.

Abby Lublin spoke against the ordinance but said that business should be allowed to attempt to open anywhere in the city instead of creating a district that would encourage seediness.

She stressed this would force stricter development controls as residents and businesses exerted pressure.

Doris Day spoke against the adult entertainment district existing in any format.

"We do have this. We have an adult entertainment district a block from city all," Day said referring to Amazing Net Adult Video and Magazine Center and the River Street Club.

Zalewski questioned Silverman on whether the district could be situated around the two businesses. Silverman said the area was too small.

"Why don't we put it in the business district. It's a business," challenged Charlene Dobert.

Councilman Gary Galuski said residents in his South Troy district didn't want the measure approved.

Voting against the ordinance were Democrats Zalewski, Galuski, Wiltshire, Councilwoman Nina Nichols and Councilman Robert Doherty. Supporting it were Democrats Kopka and Councilman Kevin McGrath and Republican Councilmen Mark McGrath and Dean Bodnar.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe