NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

o7Here are a few items the council considered Tuesday.

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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

o7www.city.newportbeach.ca.usf7

o7-- Compiled by Alicia Robinson

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