05-17-2010 Planning Commission Packet

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- . � #I 0-3461 May 17,2010 Page 2 of 2 the B-5 district as contemplated in the area known as Navarre in the city, the uses are limited in order to limit the hard cover in that area and to limit the future generation of traffic for that property in that use district, since there is already a traffic problem in Navarre. Background - Ms. Patnode has opened the Seidou Salon and Spa in Navarre. She would like to provide therapeutic massage as part of her business. Therapeutic massage is allowed only in conjunction with a sports and health club. Massage, therapeutic or not, is allowed only in a limited portion of the Industrial area near the City offices. Staff Comments Therapeutic massage is offered in conjunction with other services or as an independent operation. It is permitted in many metro area communities including Spring Paxk, Wayzata and Plymouth. , Most cities that allow therapeutic massage also license the business, the therapist, or both. The purpose of the license is to ensure the business is legitimate and the therapist is qualified. The Plymouth regulations were pointed out as a good example. Although the Commission is not involved in business licensing these regulations are attached so the Commission can understand the issues that would be addressed by licensing. Because conditional use permits are issued to the property and licenses are issued to an individual, licensing is the appropriate way to address concerns about how the business will be operated. The Seidou Salon and Spa is zoned B-5, Limited Neighborhood Business District. Staff proposes therapeutic massage also be allowed in the B-1 Retail Sales Business District and the B-3 Shopping Center Business District. All three districts allow barbershops and beauty salon as permitted uses. These uses are similax to a therapeutic massage business in that they deliver a personal service on a one to one basis. Permitted and conditional uses in these districts are mostly retail business. But recent article about sales tax in the Star Tribune newspaper indicated that in 1967 services were a bit less than half of consumer purchases while they are now about two-thirds of consumer purchases. Adding a service use would be in line with consumer preferences. Action Requested 1. The public hearing should be opened and comments received. 2. The proposal should be evaluated to determine if massage therapy would be appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the zoning districts 3. Unless the applicant requests tabling, a motion making a recommendation to the City Council should be made. � Staff Recommendation Planning Staff recommends approval of the amendments to add therapeutic massage as a permitted use in the B-1, B-3, and B-S zoning districts, subject to adoption of licensing regulations for therapeutic massage.