Business Zoning Changes Fast-Tracked After Chinese Massage Parlor Opens
Officials insist the proposed changes are not directly related to the new business.
An overhaul of local business zoning rules moved forward this week.
Borough commissioners discussed proposed new rules that could restrict some services, such as massage, tattoo parlors and body piercing shops, from storefront locations on Kings Highway and other business districts. Those businesses may be restricted to “second-floor” locations in areas where professional offices, such as doctors, are located.
Borough officials insist a new Chinese massage parlor that opened this month at 144 Kings Highway East is not the reason for the new regulations. One member of a local Internet chat room referred to it as a “wink, wink massage parlor.”
Local officials said the mix of retail and service businesses has been a concern for some time. An existing business plan calls for no more than 15 percent of service businesses in the downtown district. Mayor Tish Colombi said the town is “well over” that now.
Owners of the new massage parlor have been reluctant to speak to the media. But that hasn’t stopped them from running afoul of Colombi and other local officials.
“I found this on the window of my car,” Colombi said recently, holding up a flier for the massage parlor at a meeting of the Partnership for Haddonfield, the borough’s tax-funded business improvement district. “They were all over cars in the Acme parking lot. It’s not legal to put things on cars in Haddonfield. It’s incredible what’s going on. This does not make the town look good.”
“Our hope was that a retailer would go into that retail spot,” Lisa Hurd, retail coordinator for the Partnership for Haddonfield, said after the meeting. “But that did not occur. There was nothing to prevent a service use from going in there.”
Borough Solicitor Mario Iavocoli has advised the commissioners that they can regulate undesirable business but cannot ban then outright. The Chinese Tai Ji Massage Center received a zoning variance to operate a service business in a retail location. The variance was granted because of language in zoning regulations that Iavocoli and the commissioners want to change.
The new language would not allow service uses for certain businesses, such as massage, tattoo and body piercing shops in storefront locations on Kings Highway and other designated retail shopping areas.
Officials stressed that any change in zoning laws will not affect businesses that are currently operating, such as the Chinese massage parlor.
Parrotjoe
7:04 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
Saves their customers the drive to Camden or Philly. Wink, Wink
Herb Hess
7:51 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
Let's stop "winking" and take a mature look at what is a serious issue. The issue is not whether Haddonfield desires fewer personal service businesses or the elected leadership in this town wants to ban such businesses altogether. The issue is to what extent will a few people attempt to dictate how our Business District looks, feels, and operates.
Landlords won't speak publicly, however, the ones I know are fed up with the BID. I asked the Mayor directly at a Commissioner meeting prior to the BID being approved "How will we measure success?" The answer was that we don't have any metrics for success, we'll know it when we see it.
Well now we see it. Drive through Collingswood and you'll see a vibrant shopping and dining scene on many nights of the week. Experiencing Haddonfield shopping is a hit or miss proposition. Many merchants still haven't figured out that they are actually running a business and need to show up during store hours. Yes, some are professional and prospering and I applaud them. Some restaurants in town are so bad I refuse to try them a second time.
We can keep trying to pass rules until finally no-one will choose to do business here, or we can admit that we lack a distinct business focus and start to measure success in meaningful terms. Here's a start: If the massage parlor stays in business, then it is successful and contributing to Haddonfield. If it is violating any laws then the police can enforce the laws and close it if necessary.
Shana Marshall
10:55 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
DISCLAIMER: ASIDE FROM BEING A CUSTOMER, I HAVE NO AFFILIATION WITH FANTAGIO SPA.
If anyone is looking for a great massage in Haddonfield, visit Fantagio Spa by the gazebo. I have been a loyal customer since they opened several years ago and have always received great services. My absolute favorite service is the Korean Body Scrub (for women only). Ladies: you MUST try this...just be sure to leave your modesty at home! Another great service is the couples massage. I've enjoyed this with my husband and also my step-daughter. The spa services include use of the steam room, dry sauna, showers, locker room, robes, slippers, towels, personal products, and beverages. Other services include facials, waxings, manicures, and pedicures. The staff is friendly and professional. The prices are comparable to other spas, but there are regular promotions on the Fantagio website outside their door. There are also coupons in that blue envelope of coupons we get in the mail. Last year my husband bought me a VIP Membership as an anniversary gift. The membership included several gift cerfificates and entitled me to deep discounts on all services.
Again, besides being a customer, I have no affiliation with Fantagio Spa. It's just a great place (that I can walk to!) and I want to make sure they stay in business (for selfish reasons!). Check it out: www.fantagiospa.com.
-Shana Marshall
Tom Morrissey
1:16 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
I agree with hh on this. Can we ban people who speak using the phrase "wink, wink"?
LisaMichaels Salon
4:33 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011
Instead of doing the same thing year after year and expecting a different result...why not stop. Give the landlords an incentive to pursue a better fit for the long haul. Figure that out. The June board meeting was a clear picture of what we dont want.....a room that was empty.
D Butler
10:46 pm on Monday, November 28, 2011
A retail gun store in Merchantville was "allowed" to move their well hidden second floor armory to a first floor guns & ammunition retail ---- just a block away from the local elementary school. Why ? Zoning laws. At least Haddonfield folks on the board are able to move quickly and honestly -- here's hoping our town can do the same. No winks - eyes open!