SEATTLE, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- A federal judge has ruled that Seattle must end a moratorium on licenses for new strip clubs.
U.S. District Judge James Robart blasted Seattle for continually extending the moratorium first adopted in 1988 on the grounds that it had not yet adopted a new land-use policy, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
"The city's unhampered authority to continue extending the moratorium and delaying the implementation of new regulations evidences its 'unbridled discretion' to limit erotic dancing, a protected form of free speech," Robart said.
The city has decided against appealing Robart's ruling, instead fighting adult entertainment clubs by pushing for a ban on lap dancing aimed at cutting their profits. The next step in the case, ASF Inc. v. City of Seattle, is a trial for damages.
A proposed ordinance that would require dancers to remain at least 4 feet away from their customers has many strippers up in arms because they fear lower tips.
