75C - MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

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D. Given these concerns, the City Council requested that a study be undertaken of the current provisions of the General Plan and Chapters 22 and 41 of the Code to classify massage parlors and determine where, and under what conditions additional massage parlors should be permitted. In addition, the City Council requested an analysis of the current permitting scheme for permitting of massage technicians to determine whether they fully meet the needs of the City's residents. Since adoption of Ordinance Nos. NS 2744, NS-2753, and NS-2766, staff has held interagency meetings and has completed a study of the current provisions of the General Plan and Chapter 41 of the Code to classify massage parlors and to determine where and under what conditions such businesses should be permitted in the City. These efforts have led to preparation of proposed amendments to Chapters 22 and 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. At a meeting held on April 22, 2008, these proposed amendments were shared with interested owners and operators of massage establishments at a public meeting held in City Hall. The City's Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on these proposed changes to the Santa Ana Municipal Code on April 28, 2008; after closing the public hearing and deliberating the Commission unanimously continued consideration of these proposed amendments. At its meeting of January 12, 2009, the City's Planning Commission amended and approved the proposed amendments to Chapters 22 and 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. E. Without adoption of this ordinance, properties in the City would quickly receive entitlements to establish massage parlors, expand existing massage parlors or persons would obtain permits to operate as massage technicians, despite the fact that the city council has determined that the Code is in need of updating and has directed that a study be done to recommend new standards and revise the Code to address concerns created by new and expanded permits for massage related activities. F. While some massage parlors are beneficial to the community and offer needed services, others in Southern California have been associated with a number of detrimental impacts such as prostitution, late hours of operation, reduced property values and noise. G. Chapter 22 of the Code, which regulates massage establishments and massage technicians and is enforced by the Police Department, has been substantially unchanged since 1976. For comparison, Anaheim, Orange and Costa Mesa have all updated their massage regulations within the last several years. Ordinance No. NS-XXX Page 2 of 36 75C-66