NEWPORT BEACH : City to Shut Down 3 Massage Parlors

The Planning Commission has moved to close down three massage parlors where at least one employee at each business was convicted of prostitution stemming from undercover police operations in 1991.

City Revenue Manager Glen Everroad, whose office handles business licensing and investigations of local establishments, said the commission’s action is part of a crackdown on operators who allegedly use the parlors as a front for prostitution.

“We have more than the lion’s share of massage parlors,” Everroad said. “Some of them offer significantly more than a therapeutic massage. . . . I don’t think there is any secret at all that Newport Beach has a problem with massage facilities.”

The seven-member Planning Commission earlier this month voted unanimously to deny a permit to operate to Narita Spa, at 4222 Campus Drive, and the International Spa, at 4301 Birch St. During a commission meeting last month, a third massage parlor, the Getaway, at 2009 Quail St., was also denied a permit by a 5-2 vote.

According to city records, all three businesses had at least one employee who was arrested in 1991 and subsequently convicted of prostitution.

During raids at the Narita and International spas, which occurred in September and October, 1991, police seized such items as condoms, lubrication jelly and pornographic magazines, according to city records. Following those raids, two arrests for prostitution were made at the Narita Spa and two at the International Spa, city records said.

Newport Beach has by far the most massage parlors of any city in the county, Everroad said. Most of them are clustered near John Wayne Airport and advertise in the local newspapers.

The city last year adopted an ordinance that requires all of the city’s 30 licensed independent massage parlors to apply for a conditional-use permit. Of those, about half a dozen have not yet applied, said City Planner Bill Ward.

When the application of the Getaway was considered, Planning Commissioners Gary Di Sano and Todd Ridgeway said that the city didn’t have sufficient evidence of wrongdoing to deny a permit. The two commissioners voted in support of the business because the one Getaway employee who had been arrested in 1991 no longer worked there.

The Getaway has filed an appeal to the City Council, and the others are also expected to appeal the commission’s vote.

George Grove, an attorney based in Hollywood who represents the three establishments, could not be reached for comment.

If the parlor operators do not appeal the decision, they must close their doors by March 26.

The commission, in upcoming meetings, will decide the fate of the 19 remaining massage parlors applying for permits.