Adult-Business Law Closer to Approval : Ordinance: Santa Ana City Council tentatively OKs a proposal to further limit new sites in number and location.

SANTA ANA —  Limited by the courts from shutting down existing topless and nude bars, the Santa Ana City Council tentatively approved an ordinance Monday night to make opening an adult-oriented business in the city more difficult.

“We as neighborhoods are organizing to come out against these businesses,” said Alberta Christy, a resident of the Valley High neighborhood. “We have rights; the rights of the residents overshadow the rights of a business that may hurt the residents.”

Until now, the zoning code allowed two adult businesses within 1,000-foot-square areas. The new ordinance would set the limit at one. It also prohibits any adult business within 1,000 feet of a home, church or school or a park used mostly by juveniles. The previous minimum was 300 feet.

Many residents fear that more adult businesses will move into the city after the recent reopening of Mr. J’s, a topless bar, and changes at Paddy Murphy’s, once a regular pub but now a so-called “juice bar” where nude women dance in a small room where no liquor is served.

Paddy Murphy’s successfully sued the city in 1983, after police officers cited employees for exposing themselves. A judge upheld Paddy Murphy’s contention that it was a theater and that a city cannot prohibit nudity in a theater setting, Wheeler said.

City lawyers have tried to close another business, Adult Books & Video. But a Superior Court judge in February rejected their attempts because the city did not prove the business was enough of a nuisance.

Between February, 1990, and March, 1992, Santa Ana police vice officers made 109 arrests for solicitation for lewd conduct at Adult Books & Video, said Assistant City Atty. Robert Wheeler.

“It’s our feeling that these places act as a magnet to crime,” Wheeler said.

The new ordinance would go into effect Jan. 19 if approved at the next City Council meeting on a final reading. It would not apply to existing businesses.