Regulate massage parlour locations, residents urge

Edmonton needs to change its bylaws so adult massage parlours can't set up in areas that are trying to revitalize or near daycares and schools, officials were told at a public meeting Tuesday night.

About 30 residents from the Westmount neighbourhood met with Ward 4 councillor Ben Henderson, their MLA Heather Klimchuk, city officials and police over concerns about a new massage parlour that recently opened at 124th Street and 107th Avenue.

"We want the so-called spa out of our neighbourhood," resident Peter Bailey said.

Residents and businesses also want rules changed so adultmassage parlours and adult video stores can't set up on streets like 124th, which has been the focus of a concerted revitalization effort over the past number of years.

"What we're trying to do in the end is have some mechanism where we can identify these businesses and have them locate elsewhere,"residentBrian Rooney said.

"Changing the bylaw in such a way ... if they are erotic shops or something like that ... that they don't do it in a residential neighbourhood, near a school or church."

Henderson promised he would try to get the issue on the agenda at city hall. There are 42 licensed adult massage parlours in neighborhoods across the city.

"We're going to have to say there's prostitution happening in this city. In certain circumstances it's legal and this is how we are going to regulate it," he said, "And if we're not willing to do that, we can't say it should happen here, but not there."