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EASTWOOD CHURCH CONCERNED OVER PLANS TO BUILD VIDEO STORE THAT CARRIES ADULT
By: Keith Witchka, Staff Writer - 04-19-10 12:00 a.m. PDT
Email Keith@JRLChartsonline.com
Yet again the mega Video store chain Family Video, is coming under fire from residences in a rural community of New York state.Eastwood residents in Syracuse, NY are divided over whether a proposed Family Video store is appropriate for the vacant site once occupied by the world famous Steak & Sundae Restaurant on James Street.
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The main reason is because it would have some adult videos on its shelves. The store would be next to the James Street United Methodist Church which members their are outraged over the thought of the mega chain moving into the neighborhood.
At issue is whether a store that offers adult videos would violate the city statutes that govern such businesses. Roosevelt Baums, pastor of the church puts it more simply: It’s just not right.
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“Well, according to the membership, we wouldn't’t like that in our community, especially because 4 percent of that business is derived from pornographic material,” Baums said. “Yes, we need something in the neighborhood ... but we don’t want to bring in an immoral situation into our communities. We have enough problems as it is.”
Another resident in the community Lonnie Chu, considers the Eastwood section of the city a village, not a place suited for such a business. Not everyone agrees. Stephen Skinner, who owns the Eastwood Plaza a few blocks east of the site, was more accepting of the store.
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“I’ve told people all along, we cannot be anti-video store,” Skinner said. “We cannot be picky and choosy on what type of business goes in based upon just videos ... .”
Family Video has submitted its plans to the Syracuse Office of Neighborhood and Business Development. Pre-development meetings between the city and the company are being scheduled, said Ben Walsh, the office’s deputy commissioner.
“We’Ave indicated to ... Family Video and their representatives, based on our interpretation of the adult entertainment zoning ordinance. The sale of adult videos within the Family Video inventory makeup would be in violation of that ordinance,” Walsh stated to the press. The adult entertainment ordinance clearly states that businesses sell or lend adult films cannot be within 1,000 feet of any church, residential area or school.
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Todd Benzene, Family Video’s regional director, is confident the omega chain's plans will be accepted regardless of the existing ordinance. “Those (kinds of laws) typically don’t apply to our stores,” Benzene said.
That’s because adult videos represents a small portion of the store’s inventory, he said. The city of Auburn tried to apply a similar law measure to keep a Family Video store outlet out of a particular neighbor. The city dropped the case after determining Family Video did not violate the adult-business ordinance.
Phil Walker, a Family Video representative and developer, agreed with Bezenah. “If the city considers Family Video an adult business, it’s like calling Barnes and Noble an adult bookstore,” he said.
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Other Eastwood residents were not so sure the video store would make it in this neighborhood. “It would be nice to see something go in there, but I’m not sure that that’s the right thing to go in the spot,” said Patricia O’Connor, who has lived in Eastwood for more than 50 years.
“The thing that would have me worried (most) is the market for video rentals. I mean, Blockbuster leaving and Hollywood Video — and Netflix and Redbox are all out there. I just would be afraid that in a couple of years it would be a new empty building.”
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The adult entertainment ordinance that Family Video would need to have is not the only problem facing the retail giant.
Family Video also needs exceptions to the current zoning restrictions that require the building’s entrance to be off James Street.
The proposed plans show the store’s front entrance facing a parking lot at the corner of Midler Avenue and James Street with its back facing the James Street United Methodist Church.
If the store is approved, it will be the first of several in Syracuse, Walker said.
Family Video (www.familyvideo.com) is a private chain based in Illinois that operates more than 550 stores nationwide. Bezenah would not say whether the company would take the city to court if the proposal is rejected.
