Commission denies massage-use permit for Bridger Road ' wellness center over proximity and compliance concerns

The Planning Commission denied a use permit request on March 6 to add massage services at Hypnotic Wellness Center (23811 Bridger Road, Suite 100), rejecting staff's recommendation and leaving the public hearing open for staff to return with a denial resolution and findings.

Staff described the application as a request to add massage services to an existing personal-care business that provides hypnotherapy and somatic therapy. Staff said the tenant space is approximately 1,046 square feet, includes three treatment rooms, a reception area, a restroom and a break room, and proposed hours of operation were 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Staff said a city massage-establishment license (issued annually) and individual California massage-therapy licenses would be required prior to operation and that the municipal code (chapter 5.07) governs inspections and sheriff's background checks.

Applicant Alexander Choi appeared and described the business as a hypnotherapy and somatic-therapy practice that uses some manual therapy tools and teaches clients to use therapeutic tools at home. "I would like to keep it as hypnotic wellness as a wellness center," Choi said, adding the business is not intended to be "a full massage place." He said his wife holds massage credentials and that staff planned to verify employee licenses.

Commissioners raised several concerns. One commissioner cited proximity to a nearby park, residences within 200 feet and businesses frequented by children (including a comic book store), saying the location was not appropriate for a massage license. Another commissioner noted tenant-improvement work at the suite had been done without permit and asked whether the violations had been resolved; staff responded that resolution would require either permitting the work or removing the unpermitted alterations. Commissioners also asked how the city verifies individual therapist licenses; staff said massage-establishment licenses are renewed annually and inspections or complaint responses can trigger license verification.

Chair Villach (name in roll call) moved to deny the use permit; after discussion a second was made and the motion to deny staff's recommendation carried unanimously with Commissioner Grable absent. After the denial vote, staff requested and the commission approved keeping the public hearing open so staff could return at the next meeting with a resolution memorializing the commission's denial findings; the roll call recorded that motion as unanimous with Commissioner Grable absent.

The record shows the commission weighed safety and proximity concerns and unresolved permitting issues over staff's recommendation for approval. Staff will return with written findings of denial at the next meeting.