Levi v. City of Ontario

44 F. Supp. 2d 1042, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5316, 1999 WL 225120
CourtDistrict Court, C.D. California
DecidedJanuary 14, 1999
DocketCV 96-7559 SVW (SHx)
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 44 F. Supp. 2d 1042 (Levi v. City of Ontario) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, C.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Levi v. City of Ontario, 44 F. Supp. 2d 1042, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5316, 1999 WL 225120 (C.D. Cal. 1999).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

WILSON, District Judge.

TO ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD:

I.Procedural History

Plaintiffs filed this action on October 28, 1996, seeking a declaration that’Ontario’s adult business zoning ordinance constitutes an unconstitutional restriction on adult speech and an injunction barring enforcement of the ordinance. Although Ontario also requires adult businesses to obtain a conditional use permit (“CUP”), Plaintiffs do not challenge the constitutionality of the CUP process.

In an order dated May 22, 1997, this Court held that Plaintiffs could not challenge the constitutionality of the Ontario ordinance as applied to their business because this claim was barred by the statute of limitations. Plaintiffs then proceeded with a facial challenge to the ordinance’s constitutionality. As a result of the previous ruling, the Court excluded. as irrelevant all evidence of how this ordinance affects these particular, Plaintiffs. In a May 22, 1997, Order, this Court\also rejected Plaintiffs motion for leave)to file a first amended complaint to add a cause of action based on California law. On-.August 25, 1997, this Court denied Defendant’s motion for summary judgment.

The parties appeared for court trial on February 5 and May 7, 1998. At the conclusion of each proceeding, the Court issued an order identifying the issues for trial and - asking for further briefing. Based on the evidence adduced at trial and in accord with Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a), the Court now enters its findings of fact and conclusions of law.

II. Findings of Fact

A. Ontario’s Zoning Ordinance

1. Prior to September 1991, Ontario permitted adult businesses in areas zoned C3 (Commercial Service).

2. In September 1991, Ontario amended its zoning structure to require adult businesses to locate in areas zoned M2.5 (Industrial Park).

3. In February 1992, Ontario again amended its zoning code, requiring adult businesses to locate only in areas zoned M2 (General Industrial). See Ontario Municipal Code (“OMC”) §§ 9-3.1715(d), 9-3.2750.

4. Ontario’s zoning of adult businesses is motivated by its desire to. control adverse secondary effects associated with adult businesses. OMC §§ 9-3.17000(5), (6).

5. Ontario relied on studies of the effects of adult businesses' in Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and St. Paul, Minnesota in concluding that there was a need to regulate adult businesses through ■zoning. OMC § 9-3.17000(3).

6. In addition to limiting adult businesses to the M2 zone, Ontario places further restrictions on the locations of such businesses:

a. No adult business may locate within 1,500 feet of

i. Property classified as agricultural or residential (including single family homes, estates, multiple dwellings or mobile home parks); OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(1)(A)®;

ii. Any other residential use whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(ii);

iii. • Any place of worship (such as a church or synagogue) whether in *1045 side or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(iii);

iv. Any school, day care center or private or public park or playground, whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(iv);

v. Any retirement or convalescent hospital, whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(v);

vi. Any recreational facility, such as an arcade, skating rink, bowling alley, etc., whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(vi);

vii. City Hall or other government buildings; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(vii);

viii. Libraries whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits; OMC § 9 — 3.1715(d)(1)(A);

ix. Any truck stop whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits. OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(l)(A)(ix).

b. No adult business may locate within 300 feet of another adult business, whether inside or outside the Ontario city limits. OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(2)(B).

c. No adult business may be located on any lot having frontage on or adjacent to freeways or major arterial roads within the Ontario city limits. OMC § 9-3.1700(j)(7); OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(1)(D).

i. Wineville Avenue is not an arterial road.

7.Each of the potential sites within the M2 zone proposed by the City are also in the VI Vintage Industrial Overlay district.

a. Sites in the VI Vintage Industrial Overlay District must be at least one acre in area; OMC § 9-3.1960;

b. Buildings in the VI Vintage Industrial Overlay District must have a front yard of at least 50 feet; OMC § 9-3.1965.

c. Buildings in the VI Vintage Industrial Overlay District must have side yards of at least 10 feet; OMC § 9-3.1970. This area may be used for parking spaces. OMC § 9-3.1996.

d. Buildings in the VI Vintage Industrial Overlay District must have a floor-area ratio of 55% or less. OMC § 9-3.1996.

8. The code also provides that “[n]o residential structure or any other nonconforming structure shall be converted for use as an adult business”; OMC § 9-3.1715(d)(2)(B).

9. The code also requires that adult businesses meet specifications for lighting, security, general upkeep and to screen windows and take other precautions to ensure that the interior of the businesses is not visible from any public area. OMC § 9-3.1717(d)(2)(A)-(G).

10. Adult Businesses are also subject to a Conditional Use Permit process. OMC § 9-3.1705(a-l).

11. Ontario!s municipal code limits the types of commercial establishments that may exist in M2 zones. Banks, electrical equipment sales, lumber yards, and restaurants are among the businesses permitted in the manufacturing zone. OMC § 9-3.1705.

12. .The adult business ordinance provides for a two-year amortization period for businesses made nonconforming as a result of the ordinance. OMC § 9-3.3235(a).

13. The ordinance also provides for a mechanism through which the Ontario Planning Commission may extend the amortization period if it finds that the two-year period places an unreasonable burden on the adult business. OMC § 9-3.3237(c)(2).

*1046 B. Plaintiffs ’ Business

1. Plaintiffs are the owners of “The Reel One,” an adult bookstore, arcade and mini-theater located in an area of Ontario zoned C3 (Commercial Service).

2. In August 1991, when Plaintiffs acquired the business, Ontario permitted adult businesses in areas zoned C3.

3.

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44 F. Supp. 2d 1042, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5316, 1999 WL 225120, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/levi-v-city-of-ontario-cacd-1999.