[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6562800,"mediaKeyId","3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257","parentId",3242668,"title","Resident urges Lake Forest to rethink massage‑business enforcement, warns of impacts on legitimate personal‑service providers","audioSeconds",256,"startMs",90000,"endMs",346000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257&start=90&end=346","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257/thumbnail_90000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562800/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Resident-urges-Lake-Forest-to-rethink-massagebusiness-enforcement-warns-of-impacts-on-legitimate-personalservice-providers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562800-b47395bf008291145891bc624118dd60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136781&Signature=TOwtlmvBkHEDbLmPZHDI8hln3c8IFFLuY7F3HHyO1cRtWs6~aicqyCYntLJiqjrMgdg0n2zWHKTvl1ctoNtAPjTJ16m7c3XhGkHk-zPCOXEtXWMNRUo-mS4aFj5s2KJ~z0NCi01AVkr-HTZxfUJTOemQCcaqLOAiazuUp3R568d32WiPud4OXgG--1HVlBG-AQe3k0dZRNEwyJTvGQr0CgAEp4R90-2YGxLmZfgQwQdZ1O1BpVQws5o6WKlwz6qP4--8B76Vo6w0wjR~saKX2YSkD2UGgj88cceE9WVU2mP7cdHDD6y3YdcnvvsbnFG~bkAYuHirzDF0MaDu6JCc6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lake Forest, CA","date","2025-05-09T01:19:36Z","article","During the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident, Dan Young of Anaheim, spoke on behalf of several property and business owners and urged the city to reconsider what he described as overbroad enforcement of massage business regulations.

Young said “the City Of Lake Forest does not have a massage business problem” and argued that personal‑service businesses do not automatically lead to illicit activity. He said the city’s licensing ordinances are “the most draconian, punitive, complicated codes any normal person has ever seen.”

Young said much of a prior meeting was consumed by staff explaining the massage ordinance and that even the city attorney appeared to struggle with the code’s complexity. He criticized what he described as efforts to pressure landlords through enforcement actions and said that legitimate wellness businesses can be unfairly categorized as massage parlors. Young specifically raised concerns about the denial of a permit for a business he called Hypnotic Wellness and urged commissioners to “search their conscience” about the “devastating personal and financial effects of this denial.”

He also suggested the city seek a “second opinion” about possible legal ramifications, citing the Fourteenth Amendment and warning against unequal or discriminatory application of the law.

The commission did not respond with a formal action during public comment; the remark stands as citizen testimony requesting the city consider enforcement practices and possible legal risk.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident representing property and business owners criticized the city's handling of massage and personal‑service licensing and urged the planning commission to reconsider permit denials that he said harm legitimate providers and could raise constitutional concerns.","taxTitle","Lake Forest City, Orange County, California","taxId",4518,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562805,"City staff reports progress on capital improvement program; Kenyatta Road resurfacing completed",200,800000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257&start=800&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6562805/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/City-staff-reports-progress-on-capital-improvement-program-Kenyatta-Road-resurfacing-completed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562805-0e8a6d548e3ade4f859eafac078596dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136781&Signature=ABJcZBKHAYMxuSKPAAGro-1QGAWhLJEWLopzZVCppLfK2xxSEKBx3mlat-37r93~vqOICewoFv0lD7KnVTHf6lo4sf10AxFT1Nyj5b0SLwEyulSvPxaFsfDW1Wa1VPE3kaz-ff6TRuUIWBjPlhNjm0NMA7gJPJyKMWkY4lRyrbI9ckf6HEpTpXYpFsGy91aFihoxDweqO5vXnitdEZbeBd9-PV7aUXPB5cpDOjle6OE0rAXF5HlPl3540-qaxqfZNB2D3LTxBZN5ketzDc8bwdcVLeQepRT50-RoAgDWGpHcUJBCydmaAP30g89pwlLBsS~tNQOG587qYWzDqMKAnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff told the Planning Commission that eight capital improvement projects have been completed since the last update and that multiple projects remain in construction, preconstruction and design stages.

Principal civil engineer (identified as Nas in the staff presentation) highlighted completed work including a slurry seal, rock‑filled median, trail and roadway projects, the Lake Forest TSSP, civic center drainage improvements, a citywide nonfunctional turf removal study, and annual street and sidewalk repairs. Staff said resurfacing at Kenyatta Road was completed the day of the meeting and the contractor would return for final cleanup.

The engineer said 11 projects are in construction, 10 projects are in construction (note: staff reported both 10 and 11 at different points), and additional projects are in design. Commissioners accepted the update and had no questions.","The city reported eight CIP projects completed since the last update and multiple projects in construction, preconstruction and design, including resurfacing work at Kenyatta Road finished the day of the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562810,"Planning commission continues 7‑Eleven’s distilled‑spirits and late‑night use permit for 30 days",2158,3704000,5862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257&start=3704&end=5862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257/thumbnail_3704000.jpg","/articles/6562810/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Planning-commission-continues-7Elevens-distilledspirits-and-latenight-use-permit-for-30-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562810-5e1912abc9b126c60b20eaf2afdbe1db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136781&Signature=PRgDVfrfn6cFIK9twPPnDkm-wZrRfTnQwaeerbSkabNxTkdrIXgr6xg-zeErIKpJMBZgmJqL3Q4jBKZRx6CbpBDlsuFwIVMXkdhPyYOPXDO3maNGwvxGPYr9poNMBT259DoZaAVDJH30Ypfbo9Qa8KlNwjWXKZFVRqYMXQuF741oimIBi8~V3OHeic3JSNBvVfpK6sftpuaJaApcueWJO4pKYgFQp8T7OImDNkF6r8sFOopwLBOCOMb7A6nq2q1oG~Hqlskf0e29WVQecMoZPV~I2buJF1Qh8hTVAQ4~o1iacqiApNNQXXZLhAshJ~VrtUc7ZTL5W8sIfCl9qgyeJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Planning Commission continued, by unanimous vote with Commissioner Grable absent, consideration of a use permit that would allow distilled spirits sales (an ABC type 21 license) and affirm the store’s late‑night (24‑hour) use at the 7‑Eleven at 24366 Maryland Boulevard.

Connor Musler of planning staff summarized the request and noted that the store has sold beer and wine (ABC type 20) at the location since 1993 and operates 24 hours; the new permit is required because the applicant proposes to add distilled spirits, which would be a type 21 license.

Bruce Evans, attorney for the applicant, and franchisee Parvinder Bedi said the request is modest (a locked 4‑by‑2 foot cabinet behind the register) and described existing security features including multiple interior and exterior cameras, a panic button, and a cash drop safe. Evans objected to a standard recommended condition that would require two employees between midnight and 5 a.m.; he said the store has historically operated with a single late‑night clerk and asked either that the condition be omitted or that approval be tied to obtaining the ABC license and allow the applicant to withdraw if the staffing condition made the business unviable.

Nearby resident Alex Tu spoke for neighbors, saying they value quiet and safety and expressed concern about loitering and people using alcohol in the alley behind the store. Commissioners asked staff for calls‑for‑service history and urged site improvements to address rear‑lot visibility and loitering.

After discussion a commissioner made a substitute motion to continue the item for 30 days to allow staff to collect policing/calls‑for‑service data and to return with suggested conditions and possible mitigation measures (additional cameras, lighting, cleanup of accumulated trash, and fencing where feasible). The substitute motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Grable absent.","The commission continued a use-permit decision for a 7‑Eleven in Forest Ridge Plaza to a future meeting to allow staff to gather calls-for-service data and for the applicant to address security and rear‑lot concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562812,"Planning commission recommends city council approve zoning changes for digital entertainment and thrift stores",310,3507000,3817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257&start=3507&end=3817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257/thumbnail_3507000.jpg","/articles/6562812/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Planning-commission-recommends-city-council-approve-zoning-changes-for-digital-entertainment-and-thrift-stores","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562812-b4b8da97f6edbabb18803935c393e1d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136781&Signature=OphuD3sRLtES0J11D6O1PdGpUyowiuz7ka0JIW~spMxofnwD9WTLL853Cmqyz2lS9XH8F-RDNMtbnaHhLyrTdP1Xhp2gBcnyFkTea2omhu5EvrudoyQ-Q~ButMzwiyBIjf-QRsEtx~T3B2i8Hu8HVo08gkXqUQLd6zCJ415TRDbE7RU2MKO6GgLu8tvZfJEiqgrQPRNdZX4B7GJzOg8GLHenhBtTlWyg5yAufPWComU~bgMp-WDzFnxcbnOZdaEnmLpFhCrxzcZXrva0j2hzZIYc7BQVgl8g4Ionswy0m77nZWtKJtEpR69JistL7CorNVtprFwZ0IMlPvYDLe6KgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Planning Commission voted unanimously, with Commissioner Grable absent, to recommend city council approval of a zoning code amendment that updates rules for cybercafes (now termed “digital entertainment”) and modifies thrift store provisions to conform to recent state law.

Staff explained the updates would remove outdated Chapter 5.34 references to cybercafes and replace the term with a new definition for digital entertainment in Title 9 of the zoning code. Planning staff said the 2003 cybercafe ordinance addressed problems observed elsewhere in the region but created unintended regulatory burdens as the business model changed.

On thrift stores, staff said Assembly Bill 2632 (as cited in the staff report) prohibits treating thrift stores differently than retail businesses except for a narrow set of design standards. The proposed code adds a thrift-store section with three design standards to require that donation handling occur indoors and to prevent outdoor storage of donations.

Jennifer Mansour, who presented the zoning amendment, told commissioners the proposed land-use matrix changes preserve where the uses are allowed but delete footnotes tied to the now-redundant chapter. There were no public speakers on this item.

The commission moved and seconded the resolution recommending council approval and voted to forward the amendment with a unanimous vote of members present.","The commission unanimously recommended the city council adopt zoning amendments to replace 'cybercafe' with 'digital entertainment' and to modify thrift-store rules to comply with a new state law.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562814,"Lake Forest planning commission denies Caspian restaurant’s patio hookah use permit",2935,554000,3489000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257&start=554&end=3489","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242668-56e8fa36a60cbd776031794a62604257/thumbnail_554000.jpg","/articles/6562814/Lake-Forest-City/Orange-County/California/Lake-Forest-planning-commission-denies-Caspian-restaurants-patio-hookah-use-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562814-feafc8d2a3668c71e2a5ab1560c4b8a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136781&Signature=XCLUiv-SFp82XnhxdTKOL58Uo5IHTcK4-ku8WpmOK4Du--It~0qhSouXakZMM3jD1NKBkS2rI3gi-LZ~8RiHsdoJnFA65NmVAQv4k065Dtp1gLBo1kTGRXpwcePABtw9z2y-WseNN8WEeikItkJHomOoZqvZnrWt29xFC1Uj7aI2O68NSbAWN4JnrKl8RGcryjRawqgoOMhRDlw3zc0b8w5UTuNCCdatwQ9q6Go2QsoXvGWvhDAX4AU71i4J37DBTRAvoVcxKqilzo4AazRwR3er93m~vnHKP6ztuhNOrggtFU7bOa28XnGba~qWI1nEG0XthUalJnz7RwrAhvF88Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lake Forest Planning Commission voted unanimously, with Commissioner Grable absent, to deny a use permit that would have allowed hookah service on the outdoor patio at Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen in the Foothill Ranch Town Center.

City staff presented the application and two draft resolutions — one approving the permit and an alternative denying it — after recounting a recent history of code violations at the site. The staff report noted 18 public letters (14 in opposition, 4 in support) and said the Orange County Fire Authority recommended standard conditions if the permit were approved.

The restaurant’s owner, Esi Nabi, told the commission she sought approval to meet “increasing demand from our customers” and apologized for past permit and entertainment violations, including a wedding event she said led to a permit breach. “At this time, I’m humbly requesting your approval of our permit to serve hookah,” Nabi said.

City Code Enforcement Supervisor Winston Kuruga told commissioners staff had verified multiple violations since November and issued notices and citations, including incidents this past weekend. Kuruga said staff prepared the alternate resolution for denial on the basis that allowing hookah would “intensify and exacerbate unlawful conditions at the site” and could be “contrary to the general welfare.”

Attorney Lawrence Hudak, representing the applicant, disputed some factual details in the staff packet — for example, measurements of the patio wall and trellis — and argued Caspian has operated in the region for decades and is a community business. “Caspian has been around in Orange County for 30 years,” Hudak said, arguing wall and vegetation reduce noise and smoke migration.

Residents who live in condominiums across Bay Parkway told the commission they had experienced late-night music and vibration and raised concerns about secondhand smoke and resale impacts. One resident, Jessica Valenzuela, said the patio noise had “woken up my young toddler.” Another resident, Nicole Bursick, said noise had largely decreased after December code enforcement action but called the past weekend an exception.

Commissioners discussed enforcement history, whether outdoor live entertainment is permitted (staff testified live outdoor entertainment on the patio is prohibited without a permit), and the distance from the patio to nearby residences. After deliberation a commissioner moved to adopt the alternate resolution denying the permit; the motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Grable absent.

The commission’s denial leaves in place the city’s existing permitting and enforcement regime; the restaurant may pursue any administrative or legal remedies available under local and state law.","The Lake Forest Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny a use permit for hookah service at Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen after staff cited repeated code violations and residents raised noise and secondhand-smoke concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges Lake Forest to rethink massage‑business enforcement, warns of impacts on legitimate personal‑service providers

City staff reports progress on capital improvement program; Kenyatta Road resurfacing completed

Planning commission continues 7‑Eleven’s distilled‑spirits and late‑night use permit for 30 days

Planning commission recommends city council approve zoning changes for digital entertainment and thrift stores

Lake Forest planning commission denies Caspian restaurant’s patio hookah use permit