Late last week, Edmond leaders unanimously approved an emergency zoning amendment that will ban opaque window tint from massage parlor storefronts, giving residents a more transparent look into the city’s massage parlor scene than anyone ever asked for... or wanted.
Via KOCO:
Edmond city leaders have unanimously approved an emergency zoning amendment to increase transparency and address illegal activity in massage parlors.
On Tuesday, the City Council banned opaque front-facing windows at massage parlors, a measure aimed at cracking down on illicit practices. The amendment also requires businesses to apply for a special use permit, show proof of state-licensed therapists on staff and display those licenses in plain view of customers.
Mayor Mark Nash said the city is taking steps to ensure legitimate businesses can operate while addressing concerns about illegal activity.
Edmond has over 40 massage parlors and salons, concentrated west of Boulevard, which city leaders say is unusually high.
40 massage parlors?! Between that and all the churches, does that make Edmond the Happy Ending capital of Oklahoma?
Anyway, I’m all for transparency when it comes to government, campaign finance and intimate apparel, but do we really need it for Edmond’s suspiciously large massage parlor ecosystem?
I don't think so.
Seriously, I don’t think the people in charge really thought this through. Outside of the Video Vigilante, I don’t think anyone wants to know what’s happening inside “Lucky Foot Spa” between the Subway and the dispensary. If anything, the opaque window tinting is there for our protection!
The Mayor of Edmond disagrees:
The city emphasized that businesses operating legally should have nothing to hide.
“We shut them down. They won’t get their special use permit if they don’t comply with the ordinance, and we’ll move to shut the business down, it’s that simple,” Nash said.
“If you can’t do it, you’re going to be out of business,” Nash said.
I’ll be honest with you. I’ve never been to a massage parlor, but can’t they still do illegal activities behind closed doors?
Like, they have walls and rooms and curtains… right?
They’re not all jerking guys off in the lobby next to the fake bamboo plant, are they?
Maybe I’m missing something, but the only thing banning window tint accomplishes is making the waiting room easier to see… which is weird.
Anyway, now that they’ve gone after the windows, it will be interesting – and grossly terrifying – to see how this affects the local massive massage industry. Will this effort to make the industry more transparent push them out to other cities, or will the places simply follow the lead of P N S Massage and buy curtains?
We’ll be here to let you know.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
