LOS ANGELES (AP) — Neighborhood council members are asking elected officials to bring topless sunbathing back to Venice Beach.

Nude beaches are banned in Los Angeles County, but the resolution calls for a letter of support to be sent to the mayor, board of supervisors, and Councilman Mike Bonin. He said while he appreciates the idea, his priorities are public safety, housing and bringing city services to residents.

Venice council community officer Melissa Diner said she won’t shy away from an equality issue, and at least the 12-2 vote in favor of sending the resolution has sparked a conversation, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Homeless artist Micah Boyer said he runs a vendor station near the beach, and said the effort seems to deflect focus from other issues, “almost like they were trying to get a strip club on the beach instead of focusing on providing shelter, hot showers and meals.”

A member of the neighborhood council expressed similar concerns, saying she was dismayed the group spent time on a county law that won’t be changed to exempt one community.

“There are so many more important things to be concerned about in Venice,” she said. “I want us to be taken seriously, and this makes us look foolish.”

The beach known for its muscle was once a hot spot for nudists, but over-publicity, telephoto lenses and public safety issues led to a cover-up in 1974.