Crest Hill Plan Commission unanimously backs Muscle Methods massage special-use permit

The Crest Hill Plan Commission voted unanimously March 12 to recommend City Council approve a conditional special-use permit for Muscle Methods LLC, a massage-therapy business proposed for 2206 Weber Road. Commissioner Jeff Peterson moved to approve the application and Commissioner Marty Flynn seconded; the motion passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote.

Daniel Ritter, Crest Hill’s community and economic development director, told the commission staff found no requested variations or exterior changes and judged the proposed use compatible with the B-2 General Business zoning. "The staff recommend approval of the special use application subject to the project being implemented in substantial conformance with the condition for approval and application documents referenced in the plan commission staff report for case number SUDash26Dash2Dash3Dash1," Ritter said.

Applicant Melissa Pelopec, owner of Muscle Methods LLC, was sworn and described her qualifications and the proposed operation. "I'm Melissa Pelopec with Muscle Methods. I've been a massage therapist for almost 15 years and certified in holistic health," she said, explaining the 1,400-square-foot space would allow an additional therapist, a stretching room and a waiting area. She told the commission she typically treats no more than two clients at a time and that some clients are referred by physical therapists and podiatrists.

Commissioners questioned parking, training and client capacity; Pelopec said continuing-education requirements and recent coursework on myoskeletal alignment guide her practice. Commissioner Gordon Butler noted the special-use review helps address community concerns about massage operations: "Obviously with massage, there's a stigma attached to it ... This process often helps kind of weed out the bad apples," he said, and added that the police review found no concerns with the applicant.

Before voting, the chair outlined a condition of approval requiring the applicant to notify the city and secure required licenses before adding any additional licensed massage therapists to the establishment; the applicant agreed to that condition. The Plan Commission’s recommendation is subject to that condition and to implementation consistent with the application documents in the staff report.

Ritter told the applicant the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, with the case tentatively scheduled for council consideration on March 23 (it could move to March 30 depending on the council’s budget calendar).