North Prince George's County residents are pleased the County Council is considering strengthening zoning and licensing regulations on adult bookstores and video stores.

They point specifically to Wholesale Lingerie and Gift Center on Route 1 in Beltsville, which they claim violates existing laws as an outlet requiring stricter oversight. Residents claim the store allows prostitutes and drug dealers to operate out of its parking lot and have seen condoms, sex toys and underwear in their backyards.

Wholesale management did not return calls for comment.

County Councilman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel said the legislation, divided into two bills introduced June 23, has been in the works for several years.

"It's been an issue that's been hanging out for a lot of years," said Dernoga, who is a co-presenter of the bill. "The Beltsville store is a prominent example of where this is a problem."

County Council Chairwoman Marilynn M. Bland (D-Dist. 9) of Clinton and council members William Campos (D-Dist.2) of Hyattsville, Eric Olson (D-Dist.3) of College Park and Samuel H. Dean (D-Dist.6) of Mitchellville also proposed the bill.

The first deal bill designates an adult video or bookstore as any outlet where more than 10 percent of publicly accessible floor space comprises adult materials.

The second bill requires adult store owners be licensed by the Department of Environmental Resources. The license will cost $250 and must be renewed every three years.

If passed, owners would have until July 1, 2010, to comply with the new laws.

Both bills have been referred to the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee.

Judy Thatcher, a legislative aide for Dernoga, said a public hearing should be held in September.

Adult book and video stores are already required to be located in a certain industrial zone and be located at least 1,000 feet from any property in a residential zone, but residences in Beltsville are within 1,000 feet of Wholesale Lingerie.

Another issue for residents and officials is Wholesale's hours of operation, which has resulted in accusations of prostitution and drug dealing from residents.

County law also requires adult bookstores be closed from midnight to 9 a.m. but Wholesale is open 24 hours.

Karen Coakley, president of the Beltsville Citizens Association, said the community has been dealing with the adult bookstore for more than 30 years.

"I have personally spent days sitting to wait to testify at one hearing after another due to issues with this adult bookstore," she said.

In November 2008, Beltsville residents joined members of The Maryland Coalition Against Pornography to protest against the store.

Beltsville resident George Mazanderan said he is thankful Dernoga is taking action against the store.

"We are pleased that he is trying to get this garbage shut down," he said.

E-mail Timmy Gelles at tgelles@gazette.net.