The Snohomish Washington County Council is considering two ordinances that target “nearly naked” espresso stands and what some baristas are doing at those stands.
The Council got an earful at a public hearing Wednesday.
“I pull up into the parking lot and there are men masturbating in the parking lot to these women,” said Kris McLeod.
It’s enough to make you blush.
“Even our prostitutes on 99 are wearing clothing, they’re not standing out there in G-strings and pasties,” said Lea Coats.
The few dozen people at the hearing spoke in support of regulating coffee stands like this as adult entertainment.
Many saying they’re tired of children being exposed to live-action porn on the way to school.
“This is his bus stop. This is directly in front of where he catches his kindergarten bus,” said Kimberly Cole.
Cole worries about her 5-year-old son, Adan.
She took the day off work to be at the hearing. She happens to be the top legislative aide to Council Chair Mike Cooper.
She spoke as a concerned mom who says there’s a big difference between skimpy baristas and what kids can see on TV or at the beach.
“We can choose that, we can’t choose what they see out the car window,” she said.
The county delayed voting on the regulations, angering some people. It was put off next until week because county prosecutors want to make a few minor changes.
Chairman Cooper says the change these people want is coming.
“I believe we will leave here with a regulated industry when leave here next week,” he said.
No coffee stand owners or baristas spoke at the hearing.
If passed, any stand in unincorporated Snohomish County, where baristas wear pasties, G-strings or thong underwear will have to license as an adult entertainment business.
