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Massage Therapy Report July 25, 2007 Page 2 It is further interesting to note that the Planning Commission and City Council recently concluded a review of “Alternative Wellness” businesses and decided to include uses such as aromatherapy, acupuncture and hypnosis under the heading of “Health and Beauty.” Therapeutic massage businesses were explicitly excluded from the expanded definition of “Health and Beauty” as it was mistakenly assumed they were already addressed in the Zoning Code. (Ordinance 787 is attached for your reference.) Recommendation: Given that similar type uses are already permitted in the B2 zoning district (Health and Beauty, Medical, Dental, Chiropractor) staff feels Therapeutic Massage would such a district would be an appropriate use therein. With the extensive licensing provisions already in place in Chapter 514, requiring a conditional use permit is probably unnecessary. 1. The Planning Commission can make an interpretation of the Zoning Code and decide that therapeutic massage would fall under the heading of another listed use (such as “Health and Beauty” or “Medical and Dental Clinic,” both of which are permitted uses in the B2 district.) Code interpretations are permanently kept on file and are often incorporated into subsequent Code updates. 2. The Planning Commission can determine that the therapeutic massage business is sufficiently dissimilar from other listed uses and recommend a Code Amendment to add the use to an appropriate zoning district. The recommendation would be forwarded to the City Council for ordinance approval. _____________________________________ James Ericson Community Development Director Attachments: 1. Chapter 514 2. Ordinance 787 514.01 514.01