Prince George’s County orders 12 strip clubs to shut their doors by Friday
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Version 1 of 2. Authorities in Prince George’s County said Wednesday that they have ordered 12 strip clubs in the area to shut down by Friday after a battle over their locations and new, stricter zoning rules. The clubs, which offer “adult entertainment activities,” were issued letters from the county’s Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement saying they have to close by 5 p.m. Friday. If they don’t, they will face citations and fines, officials said. The clubs and the county have been involved in a year-long fight that went to court over keeping their doors open at their current locations. Some residents who live nearby complained to officials that the clubs were unsightly and created unwelcome traffic, extra parked cars, noise and trash. That pushed the county council to pass legislation several years ago that restricts the zoning on where such businesses can locate. The county’s new rules restrict adult entertainment clubs to light industrial, warehouse areas, officials said. The clubs that the county is pushing to close are “either in residential areas or commercial areas where they don’t coincide with what’s there,” said Susan Hubbard, a spokeswoman with the county’s permit and inspections office. She said the new, stricter zoning rules are meant as a “push to get them out of those zones and put them in locations where they won’t affect what’s within the area.” Some of the 12 establishments that are being forced to close, officials said, were longtime restaurants and bars but over the years got into the adult entertainment business. Over the last year, some of the clubs have tried in court to stop the shutdowns. Hubbard said the businesses can appeal the recent orders to cease and desist. The ruling would have to come from an appeals court in Richmond, she said. Hubbard said clubs can still serve dinner and drinks but they must “cease with the adult entertainment” part of their businesses. A representative for some of the clubs did not immediately return a call seeking comment. The clubs that have been ordered to close include the following: two in Temple Hills called X4B and Harley Riders; two in Hyattsville called Mustangs and D2/Fuego; and two in Camp Springs called Club Extasy and Hangar Club. These clubs are also on the list to close: Bazz and Crue in Forestville, Ebony Inn in Fairmount Heights, Upscales in Suitland, Grandma’s South in Capitol Heights, Mile High Club in Clinton, and Maages/Sinsaysional in Seabrook. NBC 4 was among the first to report on the closure of the clubs. |