The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville Metro Council members are considering a proposal that would prohibited adult entertainment businesses to operate past 1 a.m.

"Some of these businesses are located near neighborhoods and churches, and we must work to make sure that residents and worshippers are protected," said council member Doug Hawkins, one of five members co-sponsoring the measure now pending before the panel's government administration committee.

Committee chairman Bob Henderson said the measure will be discussed by the panel at its meeting Monday.

The owners of local adult entertainment businesses contend that offering adult entertainment after 1 a.m. is a protected First Amendment freedom. Mike Hatzell, the attorney for many of the local cabarets and adult bookstores, pledged to sue to block enforcement, if the council sets time limits.

Hatzell also said that many of the cabarets and nightclubs featuring dancers have state- and city-issued alcoholic beverage licenses that allow them to sell liquor until 2 a.m. or, in some cases, 4 a.m.

The pending ordinance, as drafted, would require all operations to end at 1 a.m. But Hawkins said the council may be willing to consider, as a compromise, amending the measure to let the nightspots stay open until the wee hours - as long as such activity as nude and nearly nude dancing ends at 1 a.m.

Lee Krugler, operator of Godfather's, which closes at 4 a.m., said having to shut down the stage at 1 a.m. would hurt business.

"The conventioneers would all go home early, and the local people probably would, too," he said.

Since merger in January, County Attorney Irv Maze, with the support of metro government officials, has taken numerous steps in an attempt to curb the spread of adult entertainment businesses. But the businesses have responded with numerous lawsuits. A federal judge recently struck down most of the local adult-entertainment licensing provisions, and several other local laws aimed at curtailing adult activity are tied up in various stages of litigation in state courts.