Monterey Park : Councilmen Opposed to Massage Parlors

The Monterey Park City Council has declared its opposition to the establishment of massage parlors in the city, while rejecting a proposal for a health spa that would have offered massage services.

Overturning a decision by the Planning Commission, the council denied a conditional use permit sought by Simon Tse of South El Monte to open a health spa in a neighborhood shopping center at New and Hershey avenues. Don Georgino, a real estate and investment consultant representing Tse, said his intention was to cater to Asian customers with the kind of health spa that is common in the Orient. To eliminate fears that the business could be used for prostitution, Georgino offered to drop plans for private rooms.

The application was opposed by the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce and by residents, some of whom objected to the proposed spa’s proximity to Mark Keppel High School. Two council members argued that the permit request should be rejected flatly, but the other three council members said they would consider granting a permit if Tse submitted a new request for a health spa without massage services.