TO: PLANNNG COMMISSION
FROM: BRAD JOHNSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2024
SUBJECT:
Title
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (FILE #24-C03), TO ESTABLISH BODY MASSAGE SERVICES WITHIN AN EXISTING DAY SPA BUSINESS, LOCATED IN THE CLAREMONT SQUARE COMMERCIAL CENTER AT 936 WEST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD. APPLICANT - XIAOLI SUN AND JIANXIA LIU.
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SUMMARY
On October 15, 2024, the Planning Commission began its review of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) File #24-C03 to allow body massage services within an existing day spa business located within the Claremont Square commercial center located at 936 West Foothill Boulevard. The CUP would allow massage services in conjunction with other services already being offered at the existing business, including facials, cupping, reflexology and scalp massages. During the meeting, the Planning Commission expressed an intent to approve Conditional Use Permit #24-C03 and continued the item to November 5, 2024 for adoption of an approval resolution.
Based on direction received from the Commission, Staff has prepared a resolution that finds the proposed use to be consistent with the Claremont Municipal Code, General Plan, and Mixed Use 3 (MU3) zoning district.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Planning Commission:
A. Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #24-C03, A REQUEST TO ESTABLISH BODY MASSAGE SERVICES WITHIN AN EXISTING DAY SPA BUSINESS LOCATED IN THE CLAREMONT SQUARE COMMERCIAL CENTER AT 936 WEST FOOTHILL BOULEVARD. APPLICANT - XIAOLI SUN AND JIANXIA LIU; and
B. Find this item is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
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ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDATION
In addition to the recommendation, there are the following alternatives:
A. Approve the project with additional or revised Conditions of Approval.
B. Express an intent to deny CUP #24-C03, specifically identifying the findings of Section 16.303.040 that cannot be met, and continue the item to November 19, 2024 for adoption of a denial resolution.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The processing of this application has no financial impact on the City as the Applicant is responsible for paying all costs associated with its review and approval.
Project Description
The proposed massage services will occupy two rooms within the existing day spa business, approximately 175 square feet, at the above-referenced address. The business will operate primarily as a day spa offering beauty services such as reflexology, cupping, scalp massages, facials, waxing, and eyelash services. The rooms to be converted for massage use are located in the existing rooms nearest to the front entrance, as shown on the floor plan (Attachment B).
Claremont Police Department Inspection
Prior to starting massage services, the Claremont Police Department will inspect the facility to ensure that the business is in compliance with all provisions identified in the CMC. In addition, the applicant/business owner shall be responsible for providing the City’s Finance Department, Business Licensing Division an up-to-date roster of all employees, and copies of all required licenses from the CAMTC for each technician administering massage services prior to the issuance of a business license.
Basis for Recommendation
The approval of a CUP for ancillary massage requires that the Planning Commission make certain findings as set forth in Section 16.303.040 of the CMC. Staff has reviewed the proposal and determined that the business satisfies each necessary findings as described in detail in the draft approval resolution (Attachment A).
CEQA REVIEW
The Community Development Department has determined that the project under review is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15301 - Existing Facilities (Class 1), in that the project entails the continued leasing of an existing tenant space within a private structure involving negligible or no expansion of an existing or former use. The project involves the operation, permitting, and leasing of a commercial use that is consistent with the zoning designation, General Plan Land Use district, and uses within other tenant spaces of the same building
and complex, and does not propose any expansion of the existing tenant space proposed for use, and will not require additional site improvements to accommodate the business operations proposed. Therefore, no further environmental review is necessary.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact the Nhi Atienza at natienza@ci.claremont.ca.us.
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Brad Johnson Daniel Kim
Community Development Director Assistant Planner
Attachments:
A - Resolution Approving CUP #24-C03
B - Site Plan & Floor Plan