Sandy Springs, Georgia- The new Sandy Springs City Council, barely on its feet, has made one of its first acts challenging the adult entertainment industry to a duel by drafting a tough adult establishment law.

And the adult establishments are ready, reviewing case law and preparing strategies in anticipation of public hearings Tuesday and Dec. 27.

• The hearing will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Sandy Springs City Hall, 7840 Roswell Road, in the back of the 500 building of Morgan Falls office park.

The law has provisions that apply to existing businesses and is certain to provoke a legal battle.

“The city is coming after five or six of the key players at once and they’re not just going to walk away from their income,” said John Cornetta, owner of the Love Shack, an adult video store on Roswell Road.

“At best for Sandy Springs, I think it’ll be a five-year fight. At worst, it’ll be a 10-year fight or a quick loss. I’m not sweating it at all.”

Mayor Eva Galambos, who took office in the new city Dec. 1, said she’s been encouraged by homeowners and the business community who believe the adult businesses send the wrong signal about Sandy Springs.

“They don’t fit what the business community is trying to do,” Galambos said. “They say it’s difficult to attract higher quality retail in Sandy Springs when they have this situation to deal with.”

James Johnson, manager of Dollar Land located next to the Love Shack, said he thought twice about being adjacent to an adult video store. But since opening 2 1/2 months ago, he said there’s been no problems.

“The guys who go in there don’t want any trouble,” he said. “They park in the back, and they run around to the front like they don’t want to be seen. I was afraid there would be prostitutes and people hanging out bothering my customers, but it hasn’t been like that.”

Robert Feifer, warehouse manager at Bellini, a children’s furniture store next to the Maxim Cabaret on Roswell Road, said he’s usually the first one at work. and he said he rarely sees evidence of the adult club.

The club management usually ropes off Bellini’s parking lot, although they forgot one time recently and a car’s tires were slashed. On occasion, he has seen used condoms on the ground between the businesses.

“I think there’s other things the City Council should be worried about,” Feifer said.

Terry Quick, pastor of First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs, commended the City Council for acting quickly to crack down on adult businesses.

“Adult entertainment establishments are degrading to women and men,” Quick said. “This sends a message that Sandy Springs is pro-family and pro-business. It will be costly, but some things are worth the fight.”

Galambos said that studies distributed by the city’s attorneys show that crime and prostitution accompany adult businesses.

That’s not true, said Alan Begner, an Atlanta attorney who represents several adult businesses in metro Atlanta.

For example, a Fulton County police study in 1997 that analyzed six nude dancing establishments – including three in Sandy Springs – showed more crime at regular clubs.

Another reason that the ordinance is a high priority is that the city wants tougher adult business regulations in place when it begins issuing business licenses after Jan. 1, Galambos said.

A drive-by survey indicates there are three nude dancing clubs and at least that many adult video stores in Sandy Springs, most located along Roswell Road.

The law is tougher in some respects than other ordinances around Atlanta.

It would prohibit alcohol sales in strip clubs, and it would require dancers to be at least four feet away from the patrons.

Begner said some adult businesses survive as juice bars; others convert to regular nightclubs, and some go under.

It also limits hours of operation from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Many strip clubs are open at least until 3 a.m., according to advertising in trade publications.

For a video business to be designated an adult business, 5 percent of its inventory must be adult-oriented. Fulton County’s threshold is 25 percent.

The proposed ordinance also would prohibit them from being within 500 feet of a residence, church, school, or government building, playground or other adult establishment.

Begner said the existing businesses should be “grandfathered,” or allowed under the philosophy that it’s not fair to change the rules after a business has been started.

“We’ll be there Tuesday,” Begner said. “They’re clearly trying to get rid of adult businesses. If it passes, we’ll appeal.”