AgdaPkt 2009-07-13 clsd and jnt - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8D Page 12 PLG-Blake Lyon From: Sent: To: PLG-Blake Lyon Wednesday, May 06, 2009 8:34 PM P&R-Nancy Radcliffe; Jeff Gee; Mborgens@comcast.net; Tom Cronin; Rachel Holt; theseyb@yahoo.com; David Smith MGR-Peter Ingram; PLG-JiII Ekas 515 Woodside Road - Massage Use Cc: Subject: Dear Planning Commission, It is my understanding that many of you have received an email communication from Thea Henry-Hamilton regarding the recently approved massage use at 515 woodside Road-. As the Zoning Administrator for this project I wanted to offer some additional perspective on this topic. The city has a very specific three step process for considering massage establishments 1) the applicant must submit for a Zoning Verification letter (this step provides City planning staff with an early look at the proposed use), 2) the applicant must go through an extensive background check with the Police Department (to verify the legitimacy of the business owner, massage technicians, and the financial interest), 3) the applicant must go through a public- hearing for additional land use considerations (such as hours of operation, parking, etc.) The applicant for this use has complied with all 3 steps. Of further note, after conducting a thorough background check the Police Department did not find any evidence that this applicant is anything other than completely legitimate. This background check included research regarding the applicants existing business in another community (with no cause for concern or complaints at that location) . As I am sure you can appreciate, the City cannot presume someone or some business to be guilty of an infraction or violation if there is no evidence to support such a claim. To do so would put the City in a very exposed position. Furthermore, massage uses fall into the general classification of personal services, similar to hair salons, manicure/pedicure establishments, beauty spas, etc., which are appropriate uses within General Commercial (the Zoning designation for this property) . Massage uses are not considered sexual oriented businesses as the email would imply. The Zoning Ordinance specifically addresses such uses and places further controls of these uses with distancing and concentration requirements. In considering the specific site conditions of this use, additional consideration and conditions were incorporate to address on-site parking, lay-out of the floor plan, exterior improvement (which includes requiring an open storefront), etc. In summary, this applicant presented a viable business plan in a commercially zoned area, which was further controlled through conditions of approva.l. No evidence (just conjecture and stereotyping) was provided to support claims to the contrary. On a separate, but related note, the adult businesses referenced in the aforementioned email and via comments received at the public hearing, cannot be considered as a precedence for the consideration of this use. The two uses on the southern end of EI Camino Real (south of Woodside Road) are not located within Redwood City'S jurisdiction. Both properties are with San Mateo Counties jurisdiction; therefore, Redwood City has not land use controls of these uses. The adult book store on the 700 block of EI Camino Real (between Broadway and Brewster) was the subject of an extensive discussion and litigation between the City Council and business operator. In short, the business pre-dates the City's sexually oriented business ordinance and thus has the right to operate at the existing location. If you would like to discuss any of these issues please feel free to contact me at 780-5934 and I would be happy to give you more detailed information. 1