New Rochelle council advances zoning and licensing changes for massage establishments; public hearings set for June 10

The New Rochelle City Council voted to designate lead agency status and set public hearings for proposed changes to chapter 331 of the city zoning code and a related local law that would create a special‑permit and city licensing process for massage establishments.

The measures — introduced as items 15–19 on the May regular legislative meeting agenda — would require new massage businesses to obtain a planning‑board special permit and subject existing establishments to a separate licensing process. The council designated lead agency status for the zoning changes and set public hearings for June 10.

Council members and staff said the twin steps are intended to tighten oversight after complaints about some operations. A staff presenter summarized the proposals to council, saying, “We had some issues with respect to some of the massage establishments,” and describing two tracks: planning‑board review for sites not yet open and a licensing scheme for businesses already operating.

Why it matters: supporters said the combined permit and licensing approach would add a…