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Public Comments Massage Urgency Ordinance July 29, 2018 1 1EgEOVR[D Dear Mayor Thorne and Pleasanton City Council Members: JUL °3 0 2018 CITY OF PLhHS, N1Oi\ My name is Denise Schuchardt. I was born,raised in and currently reside PLANNING DIVISION in Pleasanton. I am a client of Michelle Pena,who owns Healthy Necessity Massage. I am writing this letter in support of the therapeutic massage businesses that operate within Pleasanton. It is my understanding that a new ordinance was passed limiting massage businesses within the city limits. It is also my understanding that the new rules not only apply to new massage businesses, but to existing ones as well. I am a teacher by profession(I do not work for Pleasanton Unified)and my job can be very stressful depending on the year. About 8 years ago I had a particularly difficult class to the point where my stress was causing health issues including inflamed sciatic nerve on both sides of my body as well as the finger on my left hand seizing up as well. I was miserable. My mother,who is also a client of Michelle's,recommended I get a massage from Michelle. I'm so glad I did! I felt relief immediately after the massage. I then started to make a regular monthly appointment for a massage with Michelle and continue to see her to this day. Michelle not only provides massages,she also gives advice on how to keep things working well. She understands kinesiology very well. One time I was planning on a long,multi-day car trip across the country and I was worried about my sciatic acting up because of the length of time sitting in a car. Michelle gave me ideas on how to stretch things out and keep things loose so I wasn't in pain. Her advice worked perfectly. She provides a valuable service that is dearly needed. I understand that some residents of Pleasanton are concerned about the amount of massage businesses opening up in town. I understand that some residents are concerned that many massage businesses may not on the up and up—referring to them as"Massage Parlors". A therapeutic massage business,such as Healthy Necessity, is NOT a massage parlor nor is it operating a questionable business. They are legitimate businesses that provide a valuable service to our community. It is my understanding that the city has deemed that no massage business, including current operating ones,can operate their business on the first floor of a building. If a current massage business wants to move to a ground floor establishment,they would be unable to in town. For a therapeutic massage business,this is detrimental to their business model. Currently, Healthy Necessity Massage operates on the 2`' floor of a THE CITY OF pL£ASNTON® 3