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McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko yesterday issued a statement regarding city council's decision to designate a portion of West Fifth Avenue for so-called "adult entertainment," including "gentlemen's clubs" and adult bookstores.

"I wanted to clarify a huge misunderstanding that is out there in the media," Cherepko wrote yesterday. "The city of McKeesport has not created a sex district! Because people have constitutional rights, our city officials can not refuse these sexually oriented businesses from coming into the city.

"So, instead of continuing to allow these types of establishments into our city anywhere that they may choose, we have decided to only permit them to come into one small section of the city, which is on the West Fifth Avenue corridor where two establishments already exist. This will significantly decrease the opportunities for these establishments to come into our town in the future."

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Other nearby municipalities have enacted similar regulations. North Huntingdon Twp., for instance, restricts adult bookstores, dance clubs and other entertainment that depicts "nudity or sexual conduct or activities" to districts that are zoned for industrial use. Such businesses must receive a conditional use variance from the township.

But news reports on Pittsburgh station WPXI-TV (11), which were spread via Facebook and blogs, seemed to imply that McKeesport was encouraging new adult-oriented businesses to come into the city.

Cherepko said Thursday he has asked WPXI to clarify its story.

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Along with an adult bookstore that has been located near the Mansfield Bridge for at least 30 years, West Fifth Avenue is also the location of Beemer's, a gentlemen's club located in the former Doneldo's Restaurant.

Gentlemen's clubs --- clubs where nude or nearly nude dancers perform on stage --- became an issue in the city when a Westmoreland County man announced plans to open such a club on Walnut Street in Christy Park, near the Bottom Dollar supermarket and Rite Aid pharmacy.

Residents complained about the new club's proximity to homes and churches, while city officials lamented the fact that they are trying to redevelop that portion of Walnut Street for new commercial and retail businesses.

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City officials said the new club did not have the proper permits to open, and members of the McKeesport Area Ministerium, a local network of churches and faith groups, has been leading protests against the club.

"Since we are unable to prevent these types of establishments from coming into town, then I think it is extremely important that we regulate where and how they operate," Cherepko said yesterday. "We want to make sure that we curb the adverse negative effects that come from these types of establishments, and deter them from coming into our city."