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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION - December], 2004 7 B. DISCUSSION ON THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS . Mr. Hcllcgcrs stated a resident had inquired about the Thcrapeutic 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 howevcr Therapeutic Massage is not one of them. Mr. Hellegers asked the 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 Commissioner Larson stated he believed the current City Regulation was outdated and should be looked at again.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 be a reasonable home occupation. Commissioncr 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 checked with other surrounding communities for their regulations_ Mr. Hellegers replied he knew 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 type of activity. Mr. HelJegers stated that staff would rcsearch this further before the item returned to the Commission. Commissioner Ricke stated instead of starting from scratch, they should look at what the other communities had done and what their experiences have been. She believed there was a role and need for this type of a service in the community. Commissioner Zimmcrman noted a number of salons and spas also offered therapeutic massagc. Commissioner Larson stated it appearcd therc was support for this type of a business and suggested staff research this further and come up with proposed language for the Comrnission's review. Chair Sand noted there should bc some minimal requirements required of this type of business also. Karin Muska. 3260 Snelling A venue North, stat cd as far as licensure, therapeutic massages were not Iiccnscd in Minnesota, but she was going to school and would graduate in Dcccmber. She stated she had over 700 hours of experience and shc was over the ccrtification requirement. She indicated they were looking to he licensed in . Minnesota so they could get some respectability_ She stated she wanted to protcct her family as much as possible_ so the type of business she wanted was through referrals and she would also likc to limit it to women only_ She noted her eventual goal would bc to teach couples how to give therapeutic massages to each other and their children.