Council Denies Permit for Massage Business

Therapeutic massage has a place in Placentia, according to City Council members and residents. But this type of business should be in a doctor’s office, health club or beauty salon, they believe, not in a storefront near churches and schools.

The council voted 4 to 1 this week to deny Southern California Massage Group a permit to do business in a shopping center at Imperial Highway and Rose Drive.

Company owner Tina Irvin, who is currently offering therapeutic massage in a hair salon on Imperial Highway, was hoping to expand her business by moving across the street into a larger facility. She planned to offer a spa-like service featuring Swedish, French, deep-tissue and sports massages, along with facials, saunas and holistic health advice.

City staff members and the Planning Commission recommended that Irvin be allowed to open the storefront business, noting that the facility would be inspected by various city agencies and that all the massage technicians would have to undergo a background check by the Police Department before being issued a work permit.

A majority of council members were concerned, however, that a business with the word “massage” on its sign might attract the wrong clientele.

“Unfortunately, there are people who interpret [a massage sign] in a very different way than many of us would,” said Mayor Carol Downey.

Councilman John O. Tynes, who appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to grant the permit, described Southern California Massage Group as a legitimate business. But he said the proposed storefront operation would be in the wrong location.

The only council member who sided with the massage establishment was Michael L. Maertzweiler.

“I feel that the safeguards are in place,” he said.