PCP 01-06-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. , ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - December I, 2004 7 . B. DISCUSSION ON THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS Mr. Hellegers stated a resident had inquired about the Therapeutic Massage as a potential Home Occupation. He noted based on current City Regulations for Massage, Rap, and Sauna Parlors it does not appear that any sort of massage business could be operated out of a home. City Code attempts to regulate these activities and provides certain exclusions however Therapeutic Massage is not one ofthcm. Mr. Hellegers asked thc Planning Commission if Therapeutic Massage should be added to the exceptions, or should Therapeutic Massage and/or massage in general be expressly prohibited as a home occupation under the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Larson statcd he believed the current City Regulation was outdated and should be looked at again. He indicated the concept of a therapeutic massage was a needed alternative medical treatment and he did not see why this could not he a reasonable home occupation. Commissioner Modesette agreed with Commissioner Larson and indicated this would be the type of a business would be more in parallel with a home occupation. Commissioner Ricke asked if staff had chccked with other surrounding communities for . their regulations. Mr. Hellegers replied he kncw Richfield had a concern about the inspection process with this type of a business. He noted he was also aware of a similar business in Minneapolis, so other communities did allow this typc of activity. Mr. Hellegers stated that staff would research this further before the item returned to the Commission. Commissioner Ricke stated instead of starting from scratch, thcy should look at what the other communities had donc and what their experiences have been. She believed there was a role and need for this type of a service in the community. Commissioner Zimmerman noted a number of salons and spas also offered therapeutic massage. Commissioner Larson stated it appeared there was support for this type of a business and suggested staff research this further and comc up with proposed language for the Commission's review. Chair Sand noted there should be some minimal rcquirements required of this type of business also. Karin Muska, 3260 Snelling Avenue North, stated as far as licensure, therapeutic massagcs were not licensed in Minnesota, but she was going to school and would . graduate in December. She stated she had over 700 hours of experience and she was over the certification requircment. She indicated they were looking to be licensed in Minnesota so they could get some respectability. She stated she wanted to protect her family as much as possible, so the type of business she wanted was through referrals and she would also like to limit it to women only. She noted her eventual goal would be to teach couples how to give therapeutic massages to each other and their children.