OCEANSIDE — In a 5-0 vote Nov. 12, City Council decided to oust the Oceanside Health Clinic massage business at 1727-A Oceanside Boulevard. A business license was issued to Oceanside Health Clinic three years ago, before a conditional use permit was also required of massage establishments beginning in January 2008.
Prior to the council’s vote against a conditional use permit and location waiver that would allow Oceanside Health Clinic to stay in business, City Planner Sally Schifman and owner Alice Wang tried to demonstrate that the business fit the area. Schifman said the business offers massage services and acupuncture, is discretely tucked back in the Oceanside Boulevard shopping center away from the roadway, and would not encourage adult entertainment.
“I’ve been in business with the city of Oceanside for three years,” Wang said. “I hope to continue to do business in Oceanside.”
Community and council members wrangled with the question of whether the business was a reputable spa or an unwanted adult massage parlor.
“I believe there’s multiple reasons it is not a good business for this area,” Oceanside resident Steve Conley said. Conley questioned the proximity of the massage business to family-serving businesses where children would be present, and the “bedroom look” of the massage rooms.
“This does not rise to the level of what we would call a day spa,” Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said.
“I do not think it is a legitimate business,” Oceanside resident Nadine Scott said. “I would not go into a place like this.”
Councilman Jerry Kern said police action taken at the site is good reason to shut the business down. A memo from police Chief Frank McCoy dated Nov. 12, in reply to a request from Kern for business history, said Oceanside Health Clinic had two vice operations conducted in 2006 with the result of one arrest of a female massage therapist for solicitation of prostitution. The therapist was terminated as an employee by the owner following the arrest.
The unanimous vote sent a clear massage — adult massage parlors are not welcome in Oceanside.
“We don’t want this business anywhere in the city,” Councilman Jack Feller said. “I’m disgusted we gave them a business license in this process.”
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