Trustees Want Public Feedback Ahead of Pawn Shop Zoning Vote

The pawn shops are coming! The pawn shops are coming!

Well, actually, they aren't.

After Port Chester hired a consultant to look at the –and enacted a on the quick-loan businesses to allow time for the study–trustees will vote on zoning changes to restrict the business at the next board meeting, Feb. 22.

At Monday's meeting, consultant Patrick Cleary shared some of the results of his study ahead of the next meeting. During the discussion, some trustees asked for hard numbers on pawn brokers looking to open up shop in Port Chester.

The answer: In the past year or so, two pawnbrokers have inquired about the possibility of opening pawn shops in the village. Currently, there are no applications and no licensed pawn brokers looking to open shop.

"You would think we're under assault and have a deluge of pawn shops and need an immediate action," said Trustee Daniel Brakewood.

Still, others praised trustees for taking pre-emptive action. Resident Heather Paul compared the lack of zoning regulations on pawn shops to loopholes in local law that allowed the infamous Diamond Club to open its doors in Port Chester with minimal opposition.

Protestors picketed the strip club, which opened in 1993, for years–the line of sign-holding residents became a familiar sight to Port Chester residents and those passing through, with protestors claiming their highly-visible turf along Boston Post Road at what was then known as the "Caldor shopping plaza."

It wasn't until 2008 that the board passed a local law with strict regulations on such businesses–regulations that had to side-step the thorny issue of constitutional protection against an outright ban.

Regulation against pawn shops will take a similar approach.

"Today, [pawn shops] could be allowed on Main Street," with existing law, Cleary told the board.

Criteria in the proposed law are "very stringent" and would give the village control over where pawn shops are opened if a pawn broker comes to Port Chester. An outright ban would not hold up legally, Cleary said, so the new law would restrict any future pawn shops to so-called manufacturing and industrial districts and certain commercial districts.

"We've elected to use criteria that's been tested" and has stood up in court in other municipalities with similar battles, Cleary said.

The public will get a chance to weigh in when the board meets next on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the courthouse, 350 North Main St.