Planning commission approves Natural Foot Spa conditional use permit at Mission Trail

The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for a new massage business called Natural Foot Spa at 31736 Mission Trail.

Jess Rodriguez, assistant planner with the Community Development Department, told commissioners the proposal is for a 1,117-square-foot tenant space (Unit A) in an existing multi-tenant commercial center at the corner of Diamond Drive and Mission Trail. "It's a CUP number 2024, Dash09, to establish a new massage business within 1 of the corner suites, which is Unit A. That's gonna be 1,117 square feet in size," Rodriguez said during the staff presentation.

Rodriguez said the scope is limited to interior improvements and will not alter the building exterior or site. The proposed layout includes five massage rooms: three single rooms, one couples room and one foot massage room. Services would be offered by appointment and walk-ins, with session lengths that staff said would range from 30 to 120 minutes. Staff found the project consistent with the city's General Plan and municipal code land-use designation (Commercial Mixed Use), notified that it meets MSHCP requirements, and concluded the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 for existing facilities because it is inside a developed commercial center.

Commissioner Peters, who led the public questions, raised concerns about parking given the center's other tenants and potential peak occupancy. "I have some questions, not necessarily concerns regarding the parking," Peters said, noting nearby uses such as a restaurant and an automotive business and asking whether the shared parking arrangement would be sufficient. Rodriguez responded that there is a shared parking agreement among tenants and that the municipal code requires five parking spaces for the proposed use; staff said the project provides the required spaces.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Chair Gray closed the public hearing and a motion to approve the conditional use permit was made by Commissioner Peters and seconded by Commissioner Carroll. The commission recorded the vote as 4-0 in favor, unanimous among those present, with the absence of former Commissioner Ross noted.

The commission's action approves the permit as presented; staff noted the approval is limited to interior alterations and the conditions and findings listed in the staff report. The meeting record lists the planning application as 2024-16 in the hearing notice, while the staff presentation referenced the conditional use permit as CUP 2024-09; both references appear in the record.