Arlington Hts. looks to loosen massage clinic zoning

As massage clinics become more mainstream, Arlington Heights officials want to lighten up their zoning code, making it easier for those businesses to move to the village.

This is the opposite of the view taken by Elk Grove officials, who tightened up their massage clinic regulations in January after a clinic was shut down after a prostitution arrest.

Currently, massage clinics aren't allowed in downtown Arlington Heights -- or anywhere else in the village as stand-alone businesses. They are allowed only as an accessory service.

Most nearby communities -- such as Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows -- allow massage clinics. Only Prospect Heights prohibits them.

"Today, we really don't see any difference between massage clinics and beauty saloons," said Katherine Lockerby, an Arlington Heights village planner.

Massage therapists are licensed by the state, she said.

Members of the ordinance review committee agreed with Lockerby and recently approved making the clinics a permitted use. The motion still needs final approval from the plan commission and full village board.

If approved, the change will certainly help out Satori Retreat Facility, a business that is planned for 20 N. Vail Ave. in downtown Arlington Heights. Satori would feature massages, facials, yoga, pilates and a tea café.

The most popular service will probably be massages, said Renee Kabacinski, a Chicago resident who wants to open Satori.

"Massages are always the No. 1 moneymaker," she said.

She is not the first person to try to open a massage clinic in downtown Arlington Heights. In November 2007, Kathleen and Tom Durand wanted to open a massage therapist clinic in the Arlington Town Square shopping center called Massage Envy.

However, plans stalled after planners told the Durands about the zoning restriction. No formal application has yet been filed with the village.

Not everyone agrees with opening doors to massage clinics. In January, Elk Grove officials tightened their zoning rules, saying that massage establishments could open in the village if affiliated with a doctor or hospital.

Under the new rule, massages could still be offered at spots tied to a spa, health club or medical facility.

The stricter village law followed a December 2007 prostitution arrest at the village's only stand-alone massage parlor. Higgins Spa, 830 Higgins Road, agreed to relinquish its business license after the arrest by an undercover officer.

Massage rules

Here's a rundown of how some local municipalities deal with massage clinics.

Permitted use: Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, Evanston, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Vernon Hills, Libertyville and Park Ridge

Special use, need permit:* Palatine, Northfield and Morton Grove

Only as part of a business such as a spa or medical facility: Elk Grove, Deerfield, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich and Arlington Heights (may make it a permitted use)

Prohibit outright: Prospect Heights.

*A special use permit requires going before plan commission and village board or city council for approval.

Source: Arlington Heights planning department