PAWTUCKET –– A zoning officer’s decision to deny the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health from locating in a Main Street building is drawing criticism from the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The ACLU wants Mayor James E. Doyle to rescind the decision, which was based on it being an educational use not allowed by zoning rules in that location.

In a letter dated Tuesday to the mayor, the ACLU said that shortly before the center planned to open in September, city officials received “an inflammatory e-mail” that insinuated there would be sexual activity at the center. City officials “appear to have reacted to this misinformation reflexively, and inappropriately,” ACLU executive director Steven Brown said in the letter.

The ACLU says the decision raises serious constitutional concerns because the city’s director of administration, Harvey Goulet, was quoted in news reports saying that it is not a business the city is interested in and is not appropriate. The ACLU argues this meant that Goulet implied that people –– such as elderly residents in the area –– would object to “a business where sexuality topics are discussed.”

Ronald F. Travers, the city’s director of zoning and code enforcement, said Wednesday that the issue was simply zoning. The Main Street building is for a mixed residential/commercial use. Under that zoning, personal service, business service, office uses, entertainment, amusement and recreation are allowed by special permit, but education is not listed and, therefore, Travers said, prohibited.

Travers said he researched a classification database and determined the “facility was educational in nature.”

The operator of the center, Megan Andelloux, said in early October that she rented the space in the Grant Building because she liked the other businesses there and the artists drawn to the city. Her center is currently based on Thayer Street in Providence, according to its Web site.

Andelloux filed an appeal of the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals and is scheduled to be heard later this month.

The ACLU argues there are other educational uses in the building, including a chess club.

Goulet said that while he may not favor the business, he would abide by the decision of zoning authorities.

mmckinne@projo.com