The Alpharetta City Council is toughening its ordinance on non-lawful massage and spa establishments in response to concerns about illegal sexual activity.

The ordinance adopted Monday night spells out detailed licensing procedures, permitting and permit display requirements for the businesses and details what kind of conduct is - and isn‘t allowed. It also includes a provision targeting the owners of property where such businesses are located. The change says if the establishments have three or more sex-crime related arrests within a 24-month period the property can be declared a nuisance, with the property owner facing penalties in municipal court.

Other changes require a state licensed massage therapist to be on duty during all business hours and slightly revise where the massage/spas can locate in relationship to churches, schools and daycares. The ordinance was passed on second reading and takes effect immediately.

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The renovation of Jekyll Island's Great Dunes golf course includes nine holes designed by Walter Travis in the 1920s for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Several holes that were part of the original layout where located along the beach and were bulldozed in the 1950s.(Photo by Austin Kaseman)

Credit: Photo by Austin Kaseman