Addison committee approves six-month moratorium on new massage-establishment licenses

The Village of Addison committee voted to enact a six-month moratorium on issuance of new massage-establishment licenses to allow staff and law enforcement time to review code and enforcement practices. The motion carried by voice vote.

The moratorium was introduced at the committee meeting as a temporary pause that will cover “any massage type, masseuse, parlor of any kind,” according to Maranowitz, a staff member presenting the item. “We would use this time to consider maybe possible additional regulations within our ordinance,” Maranowitz said, and summarized the request as “a 6 month moratorium on these establishments.”

The committee discussed scope and duration. A committee member asked whether the moratorium would apply equally to national chains and individual operators; Maranowitz responded that it would apply to any type. Committee members also asked whether six months was the maximum; Maranowitz said six months would give staff and law enforcement sufficient time to examine the code and enforcement procedures, noting the village had used six-month moratoria for other topics such as gaming and thrift stores.

Following discussion, the committee moved, seconded and approved the moratorium by voice vote. The committee did not attach an ordinance text or amendments to adopt immediately; the action approved first reading of an ordinance establishing a six-month moratorium and directed staff to review ordinances and enforcement. No additional direction to draft specific regulatory language was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The moratorium pauses the issuance of new licenses only; existing licensed establishments were not discussed as being revoked or otherwise altered in this action.

The village will present ordinance language and any proposed regulatory changes in subsequent meetings if staff or law enforcement recommend them.