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Board recommends home‑occupation permit for massage practice at 839 South Wildwood
Summary
The Planning Board unanimously recommended that City Council approve a conditional‑use permit to allow a massage therapist to operate from 839 South Wildwood, subject to fire, health and building approvals and home‑occupation licensing; applicant said services will be by appointment, limited to female clients.
The Kankakee City Planning Board on June 16 recommended approval of a conditional‑use permit allowing a major home occupation — a massage therapist — at 839 South Wildwood.
Christopher Field, appearing with his wife and sworn before the board, said his wife has worked as a contract massage therapist since 2023 and is seeking to move some services to their home under an LLC. Field told the board the practice would see at most 15 clients a week, with appointments lasting 60 to 90 minutes and hours restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Commissioners asked whether clients would come one at a time (Field said yes), whether walk‑ins would be permitted (no), where clients would park (street parking expected; some off‑street spaces exist), and whether the practice would require structural changes (Field said the therapy room will be finished in an already framed basement area). On signage, staff noted home‑occupation signage is limited by the sign code to a single identification sign not exceeding two square feet.
Field said his wife intends to accept only female clients; he characterized that as an operational choice for the business.
Board members discussed precedent for prior home‑occupation approvals and clarified the permit timeline: conditional‑use permits allow a year to establish operations and require a return for an extension if the business does not commence. The board attached standard conditions requiring compliance with Kankakee Fire Department, county health and city building/code enforcement requirements and the city's home‑occupation licensing process.
On a voice/roll‑call motion, the board recommended approval; the item will be placed on the July 6 City Council agenda for final action.
