Machesney Park proposes zoning ordinance for massage establishments - Rockford Register Star

[massage]

Doug Goodman Staff writer
MACHESNEY PARK — A proposed zoning ordinance to regulate massage establishments has been sent to the Village Board for a first reading on Oct. 17.

The proposal comes shortly after prostitution-related arrests at massage businesses in Belvidere and Loves Park.

The village currently does not have any massage parlors.

“It is always important to get out in front of stuff, if you can,” said Winnebago County Sheriff's Sgt. Doug Bushman, the village’s public safety coordinator.

The village staff has been working on the ordinance since early summer. On Monday, the Planning & Economic Development Committee passed it.

James Richter II, community development director, said the village doesn’t have regulations on the books to govern massage establishments.

“(These) are zoning regulations and intended to protect the integrity of the village and also to provide the village with tools to regulate a use that is commonly associated with illegal activity,” he said.

The village focused on the zoning requirements for massage establishments because the state already regulates massage therapists through its licensing process.

Applicants for Machesney Park establishments will need to present copies of massage therapists’ state licenses and floor plans for their facility and agree to the zoning rules to get a special use permit, which will require approval from the Village Board.

The zoning regulations include items such as window coverings, inspections and locations.

“We have studied the facilities throughout the state that have been associated with illegal activity and we took common factors within those and we have basically eliminated those,” Richter said.

Doug Goodman: 815-987-1386; [email protected]; @DougEGoodman

The regulations

These are some of the rules for massage facilities under the proposed Machesney Park zoning ordinance:

—All establishments are declared public places and during business hours can’t have doors on exits or entrances locked.

—No one under the age of 18 is allowed in the facility.

—Windows can’t be blocked by drapes, blinds or shelves.

—It must be closed from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

—No alcohol can be served at the facility.

—Therapists must submit a copy of their state licenses to the village.

—The village and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department can make unannounced inspections.

—Establishments can’t be within 1,000 feet of churches, schools, property zoned for residential purposes, parks, day care facilities or other massage establishments.

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