THE STARLITE Motel in Stanton.

Faced with number of motels in the city becoming magnets for criminal activity, including prostitution, drugs, robberies, gang activity and the use of deadly weapons, the Stanton City Council last week passed an urgency ordinance aimed at curbing such activity.

The ordinance establishes a temporary moratorium on the establishment of any new “public lodging” as well as a moratorium on expansion, enlargement or alteration of such until the city can update the municipal code and zoning on those uses.

Affected would be the Jade Palace, Chester Inn, Casa Playa Inn and Suites, Motel 6, Dixie Hotel, Starlite Motel and Villa Motel, most of them located on or near Beach Boulevard.

Also, the council selected a new logo – with colors of green, orange and periwinkle – and directed staff to return with more options for a new city motto.