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Consents & Variances
127 West 36th Street – Naturopathica Holistic Health, Inc., application to obtain a new special permit to operate a physical culture establishment for a period of 10 years on the 1st floor of an existing 12-story building
WHEREAS, Naturopathica Holistic Health, Inc. d/b/a Naturopathica is a new physical culture establishment (PCE) seeking a special operating permit; and
WHEREAS, Naturopathica, a massage parlor, is currently operating without a special permit, stemming largely from unanticipated delays in the approval process; and
WHEREAS, The premises is on the first floor of an existing twelve-story mixed use building at 127 W 26th St. and contains 2,637 square feet of floor area; and
WHEREAS, The applicant has six rooms for massage therapy and aesthetic treatments (including one handicap accessible), one room for meditation, two patron restrooms (including one handicap accessible), one locker room with three changing rooms (each with a locking door), one shower, one consult room, one therapists' break room, one storage area, one administrative office with adjoining restroom, one marshalling area/hallway, and a retail store selling skin and body care products, tea and herbal remedies, and a juice bar; and
WHEREAS, The applicants hours of operation are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week; and
WHEREAS, The applicant anticipates administering 30-40 massages per day; including the retail store, the facility plans to employ approximately 15-20 personnel daily and serve approximately 80-100 patrons; and
WHEREAS, All massage services will be performed by New York State licensed masseurs or masseuses; and
WHEREAS, During a planned site visit by a member of Community Board Five, the facility was thoroughly assessed including the client servicing areas of the facility (except those in use by patrons at the time of the visit); paperwork establishing the identity and licensing of the staff onsite was provided, and all staff members were available to answer questions; and
WHEREAS, A cursory internet search revealed no information that the facility offers sexual massage; and
WHEREAS, The applicant will utilize only internal sound with meditative music at background volume levels; and
WHEREAS, The owners of the PCE have operated a similar establishment in East Hampton, NY under the same name for approximately 20 years with a well-regarded reputation; and
WHEREAS, The physical plant and character of the PCE are fitting with the retail-centric neighborhood, residential use is minimal, and no comments were registered by members of the community; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application to obtain a new special permit to operate a Physical Culture Establishment at 127 W 26th Street.