Commission approves restricted massage use permit for Bridger Road site amid enforcement questions

The Lake Forest Planning Commission voted on June 5 to approve a use permit to establish a massage‑use wellness center at 23811 Bridger Road, Suite 100, subject to conditions that limit massage to a single designated room and incorporate the applicant’s written project narrative into the resolution as enforceable conditions.

Ron Santos, planning staff, told the commission the applicant revised the project narrative and floor plan after prior hearings; the revised materials specify that only one of the suite’s three rooms will be used for massage and describe operational rules, including limits on client dress. The staff report included both draft resolutions for approval and denial to allow the commission to exercise discretion.

City Attorney Miguel explained the resolution language incorporates the applicant’s project narrative by reference, making those narrative commitments part of the use permit. Miguel said the municipal code provides for revocation of a use permit for violations and that the applicant’s voluntary statements to cease operations on violation provide the city additional enforcement options beyond the code’s standard notice‑and‑hearing process.

Applicant Alexander Choi described the business as a "wellness center," saying the revised narrative clarifies operations: "We are not a massage parlor. It's a wellness center, and [we're] restricting it to one room and no one's fully disrobed. It's just the upper body," Choi said.

Commission debate addressed enforceability and monitoring. Staff said inspections can occur and that annual license renewal provides a scheduled opportunity for inspection; the Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigates illicit activity when complaints are received but does not routinely enforce specific conditional‑use terms. Commissioners noted the applicant had voluntarily accepted restrictions that are more stringent than those placed on typical massage establishments in the city.

One commissioner said the site’s proximity to a park, retail storefronts and residences made it an inappropriate location for the proposed use and announced they would not support approval. Despite that objection, the commission approved the permit; the motion passed with two dissenting votes recorded.

The resolution conditions the massage establishment to operate in substantial conformance with the approved plans and the applicant’s project narrative; staff noted the commission may add further conditions at its discretion and that the applicant must comply with revocation provisions in the municipal code should violations occur.