Inside CITY HALL

Jennifer Kho

MASSAGE ORDINANCE

The City Council is scheduled to consider final approval for a

revision to the city’s 2-year-old massage ordinance.

Council members gave preliminary approval for the revision Feb. 7.

The original ordinance, passed Jan. 15 to crack down on prostitution

houses fronting as massage parlors, requires masseuses to go through a

rigorous licensing process to practice in the city.

But it had a loophole: Employees for state-licensed practitioners,

including acupuncturists and chiropractors, did not have to get a city

license. And police say they have received numerous complaints --

verified by undercover investigations -- about prostitution in those

businesses too.

So instead of receiving final approval Feb. 7, the ordinance was

revised.

Licensed masseuses say they were concerned that first change -- which

would have required brighter lights and allowed massage rooms to have

only partial, hinged doors or curtains -- would hurt legitimate business.

The latest change also would limit hours of operation, restrict

massage parlors to using only white lights -- but not necessarily

brighter ones than the original ordinance -- and allow them to continue

to use doors that cannot be locked.

WHAT TO EXPECT: City staff is recommending that the council give

final approval to the new revision.

MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENTS

The council will consider giving final approval to an ordinance that

would allow the city planning division to handle minor additions in

existing developments with master plans.

“Minor additions” are defined as construction that does not materially

affect the open space, site coverage or parking of the planned

development.

The council gave preliminary approval Feb. 20.

WHAT TO EXPECT: City staff is recommending final approval.

YOUTH ART DISPLAY

The council will consider having a youth art display in the City Hall

lobby.

Recreation staff will work with city schools to set up the displays.

The work will be displayed for four weeks at a time.

The display wall will cost an estimated $2,000.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Cultural Arts and Historic Resources Committee

recommends the council approve the art display.

FYI:

WHAT: Regular City Council meeting

WHERE: 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

Information: (714) 754-5223