Oxford Township wants everybody to keep their clothes on – at least while they’re inside places that serve liquor.
The second reading and possible adoption of a revised “Charter Township of Oxford Liquor Control Ordinance” will occur at Wednesday night’s township board meeting.
Among the proposed revisions is a section clearly defining and prohibiting nudity in establishments holding liquor licenses.
“No person, while appearing in a state of Nudity shall frequent, loiter, work for, or perform in any Licensed Establishment or upon any Licensed Premises. No Licensee or Manager of any such establishment shall allow the presence in such establishment of any Person who violates the provisions of this section,” states the proposed amendment.
The proposed revised version goes on to define exactly what is meant by “nudity” – “Nudity, for the purposes of this subsection, shall be defined to be the exposure by view of Persons, of any of the following body parts, either directly or indirectly, inlcuding but not limited to exposure, see-through clothing articles or body stockings:”
That passage is then followed by a specific list of five private body parts and areas, of which exposing “the whole or part of” any one of them would be considered an ordinance violation.
Township attorney Chris Kaye said the proposed language on nudity was taken “pretty much word-for-word” from a Van Buren Township ordinance prohibiting nudity in businesses, which was challenged and recently upheld by a Michigan court.
The Van Buren ordinance prevented a liquor license owner from starting nude dancing in his establishment.
Kaye said it’s a “good idea” to use ordinance language that’s already been challenged and “passed the test” when making revisions.
The township’s proposed revised ordinance provides “a lot more detail,” making it “very thorough,” he said.
“It makes sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed,” Kaye added.
“There was nothing wrong with the old one from a legal point of view,” explained Kaye, but “every now and then it’s a good idea to revamp” an ordinance in order to “keep up with the times.”
Treasurer Joe Ferrari said the proposed revision is designed to “strengthen the ordinance a little bit” and “tighten things up” so there’s less room for loopholes.
Included in the proposed revised ordinance is also a provision stating, “The applicant shall be responsible for the cost of all outside consultant reviews, including the township attorney’s review.”
Currently, legal fees are absorbed by township taxpayers as opposed to the liquor license applicant, Kaye said.