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April 10, 2011 I Volume 51 No. 7 <br />Zoning Bulletin <br />permit increased density and more diverse uses within designated areas <br />around rail stations throughout Maryland." More specifically, the bill <br />would enable "State Rail Station Overlay Districts." Goals of the bill in- <br />clude: "to foster vibrant, pedestrian -oriented, energy -efficient communi- <br />ties centered on transit"; and "to improve public services and the aes- <br />thetic quality of the public realm—streetscapes, open space, civic ameni- <br />ties, architecture —within overlay districts." <br />Source: The Washington Post; www.washin2-tonpost.com <br />KANSAS <br />The state house recently approved the "Community Defense Act," a <br />bill that would "restrict strip clubs, adult video stores and other sexu- <br />ally oriented businesses." The bill "would limit the hours and location <br />of such businesses, ban total nudity inside them and impose a 'no touch' <br />rule for employees and customers." Reportedly, critics of the bill say that <br />the "regulation of sexually oriented businesses is best left to cities and <br />counties." Proponents of the bill reportedly say "small, rural communi- <br />ties often lack the resources to resist such businesses, if they're willing to <br />challenge restrictions or adverse zoning decisions in court." The bill still <br />awaits senate consideration. <br />Source: Bloomberg Business Week; www.businessweek.com <br />1'ENNESSEE <br />Pending before the state General Assembly is HB 1345, which would <br />"prohibit[] the rezoning of private property by local governments with- <br />out written consent of property owner[s]." Proponents of the bill report- <br />edly feel it will help ease the economic burden of multiparcel zoning. <br />Opponents fear "state government stripping away the power of commu- <br />nities to determine their futures." <br />Source: Nashville Scene; www.nashvillescene.com <br />UTAH <br />State Senate Bill 231, which would have created a "so-called film en- <br />terprise zone," failed to pass before the Utah legislative session that re- <br />cently ended. The bill could have overridden local zoning rules to benefit <br />the development of a movie studio. <br />Source: Park Record; www.tiarkrecord.com <br />12 © 2011 Thomson Reuters <br />