http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/20...on-launched-complaint-about-body-rub-parlours
Don't sweat body rub parlours in downtown Barrie.
They've either left the area or are operating within zoning bylaws, city staff have determined following a complaint by the Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association.
“We don't like the idea of body rub parlours, but we're certainly not going after people that are legitimate businesses,” said Christine Manewell of the association.
“They did investigate and they did get back to us, so how much more can we ask of the city?”
In November, association chairwoman Kelly Weedon cited the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw which states that body rub parlours – also called spas or massage parlours - are a prohibited use and not permitted in any zone in the City of Barrie.
Some offer patrons much more than a massage; they're considered fronts for prostitution and other sexual activities.
Weedon asked, at the time, why they are still around in Barrie – particularly in the downtown.
She called them “illegal establishments”, asked that they be investigated and action be taken against them if they don't comply with the zoning bylaw.
So city staff did just that, targeting four spas.
Bylaw enforcement staff visited 35 Mary St. and 79B Dunlop St. W. on Dec. 1 and determined both had ceased operations and appeared to be vacant.
Spas were operating at 94 Dunlop St. W. (Organic Bodies) and 157 Bayfield St. (Asia Hui Shi Spa), but city staff said both appeared to be operating within the provisions of the zoning bylaw – which permits the operation of holistic medicines. Each provided verification certificates of qualifications issued by a recognized training facility, staff said, and appeared to operate a clean, sanitary and professional business.
On Dec. 12, bylaw officers did a late-night inspection of the four locations – with the same results.
“There is no evidence to support the operation of an illegal body rub parlour at any of these locations at this time,” said Tammy Banting, the city's manager of bylaw services, in a Feb. 18 memo to council. “All investigation files have been closed.”
Banting has said that when a location is suspected of operating as a 'body rub parlour', zoning enforcement staff still have to prove this activity is taking place before anything can be done.
When complaints are received, the onus is on city enforcement staff to prove the type of operation or business running there, and if it is or isn't a permitted use under the zoning bylaw. The Criminal Code of Canada charge associated with massage parlours is operating a common bawdy house.
“We are doing our best to improve the downtown for everybody and I guess we have to look at the nasty aspects downtown and what we can do to improve it,” Manewell said. “We will keep an eye out and if we see more or other problems, then we will definitely get hold of (city bylaw supervisor) Ron Osborne and ask him to investigate further.
“And when you think about it, what type of tourism are you trying to attract to the downtown?” she asked. “I don't think body-rub parlours are the way to go.”
Barrie licenses its escort agencies, drivers and escorts, but not every agency and escort is licensed. The city also licenses strip clubs and dancers.
The city's massage or body-rub parlours, however, are not licensed because they're not allowed in any of the city's zones.
Yet at least a dozen operate here. There have been spas on Dunlop Street West, Essa Road, Bradford Street, Yonge Street, Hart Drive, Saunders Road and Mary Street.
Toronto and many other municipalities license massage parlours and strip clubs, but not escort agencies and their employees.
Don't sweat body rub parlours in downtown Barrie.
They've either left the area or are operating within zoning bylaws, city staff have determined following a complaint by the Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association.
“We don't like the idea of body rub parlours, but we're certainly not going after people that are legitimate businesses,” said Christine Manewell of the association.
“They did investigate and they did get back to us, so how much more can we ask of the city?”
In November, association chairwoman Kelly Weedon cited the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw which states that body rub parlours – also called spas or massage parlours - are a prohibited use and not permitted in any zone in the City of Barrie.
Some offer patrons much more than a massage; they're considered fronts for prostitution and other sexual activities.
Weedon asked, at the time, why they are still around in Barrie – particularly in the downtown.
She called them “illegal establishments”, asked that they be investigated and action be taken against them if they don't comply with the zoning bylaw.
So city staff did just that, targeting four spas.
Bylaw enforcement staff visited 35 Mary St. and 79B Dunlop St. W. on Dec. 1 and determined both had ceased operations and appeared to be vacant.
Spas were operating at 94 Dunlop St. W. (Organic Bodies) and 157 Bayfield St. (Asia Hui Shi Spa), but city staff said both appeared to be operating within the provisions of the zoning bylaw – which permits the operation of holistic medicines. Each provided verification certificates of qualifications issued by a recognized training facility, staff said, and appeared to operate a clean, sanitary and professional business.
On Dec. 12, bylaw officers did a late-night inspection of the four locations – with the same results.
“There is no evidence to support the operation of an illegal body rub parlour at any of these locations at this time,” said Tammy Banting, the city's manager of bylaw services, in a Feb. 18 memo to council. “All investigation files have been closed.”
Banting has said that when a location is suspected of operating as a 'body rub parlour', zoning enforcement staff still have to prove this activity is taking place before anything can be done.
When complaints are received, the onus is on city enforcement staff to prove the type of operation or business running there, and if it is or isn't a permitted use under the zoning bylaw. The Criminal Code of Canada charge associated with massage parlours is operating a common bawdy house.
“We are doing our best to improve the downtown for everybody and I guess we have to look at the nasty aspects downtown and what we can do to improve it,” Manewell said. “We will keep an eye out and if we see more or other problems, then we will definitely get hold of (city bylaw supervisor) Ron Osborne and ask him to investigate further.
“And when you think about it, what type of tourism are you trying to attract to the downtown?” she asked. “I don't think body-rub parlours are the way to go.”
Barrie licenses its escort agencies, drivers and escorts, but not every agency and escort is licensed. The city also licenses strip clubs and dancers.
The city's massage or body-rub parlours, however, are not licensed because they're not allowed in any of the city's zones.
Yet at least a dozen operate here. There have been spas on Dunlop Street West, Essa Road, Bradford Street, Yonge Street, Hart Drive, Saunders Road and Mary Street.
Toronto and many other municipalities license massage parlours and strip clubs, but not escort agencies and their employees.
