Spa’s Interest in City Prompts Ordinance
A proposal from a business wishing to offer massage services has spurred the City Council to pass a so-called urgency ordinance temporarily imposing tougher regulations on any new operations.
A county massage ordinance similar to the city’s is being challenged in court. If it is overthrown, Laguna Hills City Atty. Lois E. Jeffrey said, “we would be without effective regulations.”
The temporary measure, prompted by a proposal to open a business called Flamingo Spa, includes several restrictions, including strict background checks.
Santa Ana attorney Scott Van Soye, who represents Flamingo Spa’s owner, said he will review the temporary ordinance to make sure it does not violate constitutional free speech guarantees.
The emergency ordinance, which takes effect immediately rather than after the typical 30-day wait, was passed unanimously.
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