The city ordered a controversial new bikini espresso stand in Bellevue's Crossroads neighborhood to shut down today unless it stopped using an unauthorized drive-through lane.

If Knotty Bodies Espresso keeps operating with the drive-through and violates the notice, the business faces civil penalties ranging from $100-$500 per day, said Mike Brennan, Bellevue's development director. The business can remain open without the drive-through lane, he said.

A city code inspector found the violations Monday at the new espresso stand and told the owner then to close down the drive-through today. But city officials said cars were still driving up to get their coffee from bikini-clad baristas this morning.

Closing the drive-through is unlikely to satisfy residents angry about Knotty Bodies Espresso opening in their neighborhood.

Knotty Bodies started serving up espresso drinks via baristas in bikinis over the weekend in a Chevron parking lot at the intersection of Northeast Eighth Street and 164th Avenue Northeast. Residents are upset that the Knotty Bodies sign and bikini-clad baristas are close to a kids' water park and community center for teens. More than 100 residents showed up at a City Council meeting Monday night to protest, said city spokesman Tim Waters.

Owner Mike Rockey told The Bellevue Reporter that he has tried to be respectful of neighbors, building the stand without windows facing the water park. He said people don't see anything more what you would at a beach or on TV.

The drive-through lane is a public safety issue, Brennan said. The city's permit specifically prohibited a drive-through because there is not enough room for more than two cars to line up before blocking traffic, he said.

People can still park there and walk up to get drinks, he said.

The City Council also asked city staff Monday to find out more about what types of businesses are allowed in the area, and to look into potential land use code changes to prevent this type of business from showing up in residential neighborhoods, Waters said.

Deputy Mayor Claudia Balducci said today Knotty Bodies was in a particularly bad spot, with an elementary school, water park and community center nearby.

"If you don't see it, hear it, it's not bothering you, I'm not as exercised over that sort of thing," she said. "This is sort of in your face in the middle of a residential neighborhood and a youth attraction area."

She said she would be interested in examining zoning for residential areas to try to prevent this kind of business from appearing in a residential neighborhood again.

"We have regulations about what goes where for this reason," she said.