NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

MASSAGE BUSINESS APPEAL

A masseuse can operate from a Corona del Mar day spa, after the council upheld the planning director’s decision to allow the massage business.

Councilman Dick Nichols called up the decision for review because of a rule that doesn’t allow a massage business to open within 500 feet of another such establishment.

City staff members said the city has strict standards for massage businesses because of previous problems with them.

But massage is being added to the services of many spas and athletic clubs in the area.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Corona del Mar spa can offer massage services.

WHAT THEY SAID

“The problem was really prostitution, not massage,� Councilman Steve Rosansky said, referring to past issues that led to the city’s strict regulation of massage businesses.

CITY HALL EXPANSION

The council opted not to add 3,000 square feet to the proposed new city hall or to plan the building to handle future expansions totaling 8,000 square feet.

The new facility would include space for the 216 employees that now work in City Hall as well as up to 50 more. Council members decided that space will be enough for the future growth of the city’s work force.

The proposed city hall is part of a roughly $46-million civic center project that also includes a new fire station and parking garage. The council is expected to vote Nov. 8 on whether to go ahead with the project.

WHAT IT MEANS

If the council agrees in November to build a new city hall, it won’t be bigger than 72,000 square feet.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Next City Council meeting

* WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 25

* WHERE: Council chambers, City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

* INFO: Call (949) 644-3005 or visit www.city.newportbeach.ca.us

-- Compiled by Alicia Robinson