WOBURN - Two of the more disputatious special permit petitions in recent memory were officially withdrawn from consideration at the most recent City Council meeting, but both of them may be back soon.
The council voted unanimously to grant a leave of withdrawal without prejudice to Yannian Ji, who wants to operate a massage therapy business at 340 Washington St.
Attorney James Mawn, representing Ji, said his client needs more time to sort out the "conflicting definitions" in the recently-adopted state statute for massage therapy and the local regulations, which are subject to enforcement by the city's Board of Health.
Ji is seeking to perform a service called "acupressure," which is apparently not covered by the state statute, but council members were uncomfortable with the prospect of granting a special permit to Ji because he does not have a license to perform massage therapy.
"Perhaps he can come back with a license in hand, or not, as the case may be," said Mawn.
Psychic studio
The council also voted unanimously to grant a leave of withdrawal without prejudice to Kathy Wilson, who wants to open a psychic studio at 238 Lexington St. in West Woburn.
The petition was clouded due to questions about the zoning status of the parcel, which is listed as R-2 (two-family residences). Wilson argued that the building on the property has always been used as the site of a business, but the last legal non-conforming use according to Ward 7 Alderman Raymond Drapeau was a flower shop that went out of business about 10 years ago.
When the owner of the property last month told the council's Special Permits Committee she bought the parcel with the intent and understanding that a business could go there, she was advised to file for a re-zoning petition.
The building in question is located on a small parcel off Lexington Street, wedged between the back parking lot for Olsen Cadillac and the Reeves School.
When and if the zoning change to a business classification is approved by the council, Wilson will have an opportunity to re-file her petition for the psychic studio.
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