Pro-Family Zoning Battle in Connecticut

We represent a group of citizens in Southington, Connecticut called Concerned Citizens for a Pornography Free Southington (CCPFS). 

Senior Counsel Vince McCarthy has been advising them on legal strategies to keep a pornography shop named Very Intimate Pleasures (VIP) from locating one of its retail shops in the middle of a retail district in town.  The business obtained the necessary permits and opened its doors several weeks ago.

We represent a resident who lives across the street from the business.  Our argument is clear:  the store does not comply with the town's zoning regulations which require that any store carrying more than 10% of its inventory in sexually oriented materials has to meet the setback in Sec. 15-11 of the Code which prohibits the location of such a store within 750 feet from a residential home or residential multi-family dwelling.  The resident we represent lives within 750 feet of this store.

We are also arguing that the store should not have been granted an occupancy permit.  Most of the members of Concerned Citizens have been in the store, including representatives of local clergy, and agree that the store clearly contains much more than 10% of sexually oriented materials and many believe that number is as high as 90%.

The ACLJ is filing a Freedom of Information request against the Planning and Zoning Commission seeking information about the decision to clear the way for this business to operate at this location.

We're working with Concerned Citizens to file an appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Also an option - taking the issue to court.

You can learn more about this issue in a news story posted here.  We'll keep you posted as this situation continues to develop.