Massage Therapists Off The List

The Battle Creek City Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the charter’s adult business ordinance Tuesday night.

The Commission voted 8-0, with Commissioner Mark Behnke absent from the meeting, to take out state-licensed massage therapists outside of health care facilities under the current ordinance.

This comes after the Dickman Road Business Improvement District requested the city to not allow adult businesses in their area in August. Commissioners tabled the resolution and will hold a public hearing September 12th on the issue. The hearing will be held at the city's Department of Public Works building on South Kendall from 6 to 7:30pm.

The amendment will now allow licensed massage therapy businesses in business improvement districts. They were only available in light industrial and intensive business districts before the approved amendment.