TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: November 1, 2017
Title
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPROVAL OF ANY NEW MASSAGE SPAS, MASSAGE PARLORS, AND SIMILAR MASSAGE SERVICE TYPE BUSINESSES WITHIN THE CITY OF MARGATE.
BACKGROUND: The City of Margate has seen a rise in prostitution arrests at Margate massage parlors. As a result, the City Commission approved a six-month moratorium via Ordinance 2016-10 on November 2, 2016 for the approval of any new massage spas, massage parlors, and similar massage service type businesses within the City of Margate. A six-month extension of the existing six-month moratorium was approved on May 17, 2017 via Ordinance 2017-09, in order to provide additional time to consider changes to the City’s Code pertaining to the impact of these businesses on the City.
At the August 23, 2017 City Commission Workshop, the City Commission directed staff to draft an ordinance to classify “massage” as a special exception use due to the unique operational characteristics of this use.
RECOMMENDATION: The Development Review Committee (DRC) approved this item at the DRC meeting held on September 26, 2017. An excerpt of the draft meeting minutes is attached. The Planning and Zoning Board approved the ordinance 5-0 at the Planning & Zoning Board meeting held on October 4, 2017. An excerpt from the draft meeting minutes is also attached.
The City Commission approved first reading of this ordinance at the October 18, 2017 meeting with an amendment to allow massage services as an accessory use at medical and physical therapy offices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
CONTACT PERSON: Reddy Chitepu, Acting Director of Economic Development/Director of D.E.E.S.