Town might revoke permit of alleged brothel April 24

Golden Pond Hydrotherapy still open for now
By SARAH LEWERS, Staff Writer
Golden Pond Hydrotherapy may soon be no more.
A public hearing to consider revoking the use permit for the
massage parlor on Old Redwood Highway will be held April 24, at 10
a.m. in the Windsor Town Council Chambers.
The hearing stems from a Sheriff’s Department sting, completed
March 9, that resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Pathana Syothay
at Golden Pond on charges of prostitution. According to police, the
Santa Rosa woman was actively engaging in an act of prostitution
when deputies served a search warrant.
Massage parlors may only be approved in Windsor with a
conditional use permit that is in conformity with findings,
according to Windsor Plan-ning Director, Peter Cham-berlin.
Findings are the auth-ority and performance standards Windsor has
set up for approval of conditional uses.
&#8220Non-compliance with conditions or the solicitation of
prostitution breaks the link to the findings that the permit was
approved on,” he said. &#8220The condition we’re saying they’re
not in compliance in is condition three.” The condition requires
the planning department be provided copies of massage school
certificates and proof of identity before employees start work.
Golden Pond submitted required materials when the business
opened, Chamberlin said, but hasn’t kept records current.
&#8220We know from police records that there were different
employees there from when they started,” he said. There is also a
question about condition six, which requires all employees be at
least 18 years old. &#8220We don’t have evidence one way or
another,” on condition six requirements, Chamberlin said.
The massage parlor closed for a few days following the bust, but
re-opened soon after, according to Linda Nichols, who owns
Elizabeth’s Hair and Wig Salon and shares the building with Golden
Pond.
A woman answering the phone shortly after the business re-opened
and identifying herself as a massage parlor employee was not
registered with the planning department, according to records.
The permit was originally granted to John and Caroline Kirk of
Santa Rosa, but Chamberlin doesn’t know if they are still operating
the business.
&#8220You know, I’m not sure anymore who it is,” he said,
adding that Caroline Kirk may go by more than one name. No matter
who is running the business, the community will have the
opportunity to voice their concerns.
&#8220The purpose of this hearing is to put this out to the
public and allow the public to comment before the decision is
made,” said Chamberlin, who is in charge of the hearing and will be
making a decision regarding the permit.
The hearing process entails, among other things, publication of
the hearing notice in the newspaper, a staff report and a public
hearing. The staff report, in the process of being prepared by
Chamberlin, will be available online to the public upon
completion.
The planning department will also be taking written comments
from the community prior to the hearing; Chamberlin says public
commentary has already started and his office has received lots of
calls, petitions and letters addressing the matter.
Neighboring business owner Nichols has authored multiple letters
about allegations of prostitution next door, and plans to attend
the April 24 meeting to air her concerns.
&#8220I would like to see this issue next door cleared up,”
Nichols said, adding that she wanted to see everyone in compliance
with the law and their permits.
Debora Fudge, Windsor Town Councilmember and Fourth District
supervisorial candidate, was surprised when she discovered that her
week-old campaign office was housed above an alleged brothel.
&#8220It was disappointing to know that kind of thing was
going on in Windsor, especially so close to a neighborhood,” Fudge
said previously. No matter how disappointed she is, Fudge won’t be
able to comment at the hearing.
&#8220I can’t (attend as a tenant), because I’m a
councilmember and it becomes a legal question as to how I can be
involved,” Fudge said. &#8220I need to check with our town
attorney, and I will be doing that this week.”
Regardless of who turns up to express their views at the
hearing, Chamberlin appears to be confident about Windsor’s
position. When asked if the Town has a strong case against the
massage parlor, Chamberlin has a ready answer.
&#8220Yes.”