CITY PASSES BAN ON LAP DANCING.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Lap dancing and other direct physical contact between entertainers and customers will be banned under a measure unanimously approved Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Council.

Despite threats of a costly legal fight, the council pushed through tough new restrictions first proposed earlier this year as a way to reduce incidents of prostitution around the clubs and deal with neighbors' complaints.

``Nearly every other jurisdiction around Los Angeles has restrictions like these,'' said Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who has been urging the restrictions. ``That's part of the reason that Los Angeles has become a mecca for these clubs. I don't think that's what we want Los Angeles to be known for.''

The measure, passed 13-0, now goes to Mayor James Hahn, who is expected to sign it. It will take effect 30 days after that.

The council did not allow a public hearing - Miscikowski said several hearings had already been held - which drew a protest from a representative of the adult-entertainment industry and a threat of a lawsuit.

``There have not been sufficient hearings on this,'' said Steve Afriat, the lobbyist hired by several clubs to oppose the measure. ``I am sure we will be going to court to fight this.

``The city hasn't proven the need for this law,'' Afriat said. ``This is a moral judgment by the council, not a legal one. You have to ask yourself what is next? Bookstores? Family planning clinics? Anything they don't like.''

Miscikowski insisted the measure is designed only to head off law enforcement problems created by nude entertainment venues.

Under the measure, dancers and customers must be at least six feet from one another and entertainers must perform on a stage at least 18 inches high with 30-inch fixed rails.

It also would ban sexual activities and prohibit any direct tipping of the dancers or the selling or providing of sexually oriented merchandise.

The clubs, which will be subject to annual permits, also will be required to provide separate facilities for men and women, better lighting and separate dressing rooms for entertainers.

Aides to Miscikowski estimated up to 200 bars and adult arcades will be affected by the new law. Of those, there are 24 all-nude clubs in the city, with 11 operating in the San Fernando Valley.

Assistant City Attorney Michael Tucker said the city law was modeled after measures in other jurisdictions that have been upheld in state and federal courts.

``We are confident this will stand up to a legal challenge,'' Tucker said.

LAPD Capt. Stan Proctor, who oversees the vice unit, contested claims that the loss of tips under the measure will prompt some dancers to become prostitutes.

``We do not believe this measure will force the dancers to turn to prostitution,'' Proctor said. ``We think it will help us control prostitution.''

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com