Council committee advances special-use request for massage salon at 12525 Anderson Road

A St. Joseph County land use planning committee advanced a special-use petition for a massage salon at 12525 Anderson Road, sending the matter to the full council without a recommendation and with written conditions on hours and residential use.

The petition (Bill 31-25), filed by Miller Family Development Company, would allow a massage salon to occupy one suite of an existing office building at the corner of Anderson and Bittersweet roads. Sean Klein, area plan commission director, told the committee the area board of zoning appeals recommended approval 6-0, subject to written commitments developed with the health department.

"If the special use is granted, per the health department, they would still need to be inspected for compliance with chapter 113 of the St. Joseph County code, and the practitioners must provide licenses with the state of Indiana," Klein said.

The two written commitments recommended by APC staff were: the salon’s operating hours would be limited to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with clients required to be off premises by 9 p.m.; and no dwelling units, including accessory units, would be permitted on the property. Klein said those conditions were intended to keep the use consistent with other office-area services and to avoid disruption to neighboring residential uses.

Council members raised enforcement and public-safety concerns tied to the tenant type. Councilman Tanner noted "nationwide problematic issues" and sting operations at some massage establishments, and asked whether the petition presented any land-use concerns if operated in compliance with the law. Klein replied, "Looking at it strictly from a land use perspective, assuming that this use is operated in full compliance with all other relevant laws, Area Plan does not have a concern with the specific use."

Dennis Miller, president of Miller Family Development, spoke as the property owner and said the tenant would also provide nails, hair and facial services, and that the unit is not highly exposed to the intersection.

An interpreter, Richard Oei, introduced the prospective business operator, who said she currently operates a business called New Spa in Merrillville and answered committee questions about prior operations. Committee members asked whether the county could limit the special use so it would not "run with the land" if the operator left; Klein advised against a condition that would tie the special use to one operator, saying land-use approvals typically apply to the property rather than a specific tenant.

After discussion the committee took a voice vote on a motion to "move it forward with no recommendation." The motion passed and the council will consider Bill 31-25 at its June meeting.

The county health department and state licensing remain prerequisites to operation if the council ultimately approves the special use.

Less central details: the property was rezoned to office in 2023 and a full office building is constructed on the lot; the APC recommendation included the written commitments listed above.