VERONA - Augusta County will research a revised zoning ordinance and other protections against adult businesses over the next month after a spirited discussion among supervisors and a public plea Wednesday night.

While North River Supervisor Larry Howdyshell called for the immediate drafting of an ordinance restricting adult book stores from locating in the county, other supervisors thought more research was necessary.

"The concern is deep for me," said Howdyshell, who asked that an ordinance be drafted and reviewed by the Augusta County Planning Commission before being submitted to supervisors.

The board agreed to review the options for protecting Augusta County and discuss them at an Oct. 22 work session.

Under the county's current zoning ordinance, adult businesses would fall under the consumer-oriented provision, like other retail businesses such as a furniture store or bakery, said Dale Cobb, the county's director of community development.

Augusta County Attorney Steve Rosenberg said adult businesses are afforded first amendment free speech protection.

Rosenberg said the options to deal with such businesses include revising the zoning ordinance to specify the locations where they can open, and set distances for the proximity to churches and schools.

"The idea is to prevent a concentration in those areas," Rosenberg said.

The attorney said another option would be to order such businesses to get a permit, which would be screened and issued by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office.

The city of Staunton's recent struggle to deal with an adult business locating there spurred West Augusta resident and Pastures Supervisor candidate Travis Smithdeal to speak to the supervisors Wednesday night.

Smithdeal said pornography was not a political issue, and that it "hurts families and increases crime."

"I'd like to request the board of supervisors let citizens work with them to enact an ordinance that will keep pornography from neighborhoods," Smithdeal said.

Some supervisors said time should be taken to look at the options, and said completely eliminating such businesses is unlikely.

"We need to be proactive and see what we can do to marginalize them," said Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles, who said an adult business would not succeed in his rural district.