Bellevue is considering stricter adult-entertainment regulations following the recent outcry over a now-shuttered bikini espresso stand that opened in November near Crossroads Park.

The city council on Tuesday voted to proceed with a three-pronged approach that includes drafting new rules on lewd-conduct, adult-business zoning, and licensing.

City planners and legal staff are researching ordinances from other cities to come up with a comprehensive plan for addressing the issues.

The new licensing regulations would re-define what qualifies as adult-entertainment or “adult-themed” businesses. Proposed changes are expected to go before the council by March.

“We have to be careful because we don’t want to be too broad, but we don’t want to be too narrow,” said councilmember Claudia Balducci.

Amendments to the city’s lewd-conduct ordinance “would likely involve expanding the scope of the specified anatomical areas that cannot be publicly exposed” to “establish the limits of appropriate attire in public places where minors are present,” according to a staff report.

The state Constitution prevents local governments from prohibiting adult-entertainment businesses within their boundaries, but cities can use zoning decide where those establishments should be located.

Knotty Bodies, which featured bikini-clad baristas, opened in November near the child-centric Crossroads Park.

City officials forced the business to close its drive through lane after learning that its location was not zoned for drive-up operations.

The property is also not zoned for adult entertainment.

Knotty Bodies closed in December after the property owner terminated its lease, according to the city.

Another bikini espresso stand is located in the city near Wade’s Eastside Guns, on the 13500 block of Bel-Red Rd. That operation is not readily visible from the street.