Planning commission approves restricted massage establishment permit at Bridger Road site amid enforcement concerns

The Lake Forest Planning Commission on June 5 approved a use permit for a massage establishment to operate at 23811 Bridger Road, Suite 100, with conditions that limit massage services to a single room and incorporate the applicant’s revised project narrative into the approval. The commission vote passed with dissent from Vice Chair Stannard and Commissioner Vilbach.

Why it matters: The applicant agreed to unusually specific operational limits — including restricting massage to one room, limiting client disrobing and relying on a written project narrative — and the resolution explicitly incorporates that narrative. That incorporation gives the city an additional contractual foothold to enforce conditions beyond the standard code enforcement and revocation processes discussed by staff and the city attorney.

Staff summary and legal framing: Ron Santos, the staff presenter, said the revised narrative and floor plan were provided to address commissioner concerns raised at previous hearings and that the commission could add conditions if it desired. City Attorney Gal told the commission that the resolution’s condition states the massage establishment “shall be maintained in substantial conformance with the applicant’s plans and project narrative” and that the narrative is “incorporated here by reference,” giving the city additional enforcement leverage.

Applicant’s position: Alexander Choi, the applicant, told the commission, “We are not a massage parlor. It's a wellness center, and, restricting it to 1 room and, no one's fully disrobed.” Choi said he worked with staff to revise the narrative and floor plan to address concerns about illicit activity.

Concerns and enforcement: Commissioners pressed staff about how the city and Orange County Sheriff’s Department would monitor compliance. Staff and the city attorney said city staff conduct inspections (including annual license renewals) and that the sheriff’s department typically investigates in response to complaints. Commissioners noted the approach places significant reliance on voluntary compliance and complaint-driven enforcement; City Attorney Gal said the applicant’s voluntary commitments give the city additional options should a violation occur.

Outcome: The commission adopted the resolution approving the use permit with the project narrative and floor plan incorporated by reference; the motion passed with two dissenting votes. Staff noted the code’s standard revocation process remains available for enforcement, and the applicant indicated willingness to cease operations immediately if violations occurred.

What’s next: The permit holder must operate in substantial conformance with the approved narrative and plans. City staff can inspect the business and pursue code-enforcement or revocation steps if the operator fails to comply.