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Planning Commission November 20, 2001 Page 12 •1 Commissioner Hanson indicated that he had heard that there existed quite a large 2 gap between the overall project and funding options. Councilmember Thuesen 3 stated that he felt that the Apache project in the City of St. Anthony was 4 important to the Metropolitan Council, and that it was very likely that they will 5 receive significant dollars through the Smart Growth development plan. 6 Commissioner Hanson asked where the discussion on the Stonehouse lies. 7 Councilmember Thuesen indicated that he has heard that more interest in the 8 property has developed recently. He added that the Stonehouse property was a 9 key-component in the redevelopment project. He stated that he hoped it would be 10 running for awhile, but feared that the poor state of the building would force it to 11 shut-down sooner than later. 12 Councilmember Thuesen stated that he hoped he was clear about the question 13 regarding the appointment of Jerry Faust to the City Council. 14 15 IX. INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION. 16 9.1 Proposed Massage Therapy Ordinance. 17 Henry stated that, currently,therapeutic massage businesses are allowed in the 18 Commercial zoning district in St. Anthony(Section 1635.02eee). She added that 19 a certificate of occupancy is required to have this type of business, which is obtained by displaying to the City Manager that the practitioners at the business all have a certificate from a massage school showing completion of courses. 22 Henry continued that recently, arrests were made at one massage operation for 23 prostitution. Under the present City Ordinance therapeutic massage is not a 24 defined term and the City does not require a license, making it very difficult to 25 stop operation of a massage operation where prostitution may be occurring. By 26 requiring massage operations to obtain a business license and providing certain 27 clearly delineated standards for operation, the City may more effectively regulate 28 these activities and ensure that only legitimate massage operations are in the City. 29 Henry stated that the City Attorney's Office has drafted an ordinance which is 30 based on the Edina's massage parlor ordinance. The drafted ordinance limits the 31 number of businesses offering therapeutic massage, and speaks to investigation 32 and approval/denial of application, including the suspension or revocation of the 33 license and specifically provides that any conviction for prostitution or any other 34 crime or violation involving moral turpitude results in a revocation of the license. 35 Henry indicated that if the City adopted this ordinance in December,the City 36 could give existing businesses some period, like 40 to 60 days, to comply and get 37 a license to operate in St. Anthony. Henry stated that staff recommends the Planning Commission set the public 49 hearing for the new therapeutic massage ordinance for December 18, 2001.