Massage Parlor Under Investigation Seeks Approval To Operate From Canton

CANTON, MI — Canton’s Board of Trustees will decide if a pair of companies will be granted message business licenses at a Tuesday special meeting. Mulan Massage Center LLC and Rebalance Wellness Center are appealing earlier denials by the board.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at township hall, 1150 Canton Center Road. A study session will follow at 7 p.m. Discussions on water and sewer rates will be held as will a water distribution asset management plan. The session will center around the level of service provided by the township.

According to township records, Mulan submitted an incomplete application for a 2017 “massage establishment license” to continue as a massage establishment at 45470 Ford Road in Canton. A Canton clerk’s office review, however, revealed discrepancies between the 2017 application and the applications of 2016 and 2015. Canton staff alerted Mulan that, as a corporation, all of its officers’ names must be submitted with application.

On Jan. 13, Mulan returned an updated application with the list of officers. Mulan Massage has been licensed as a massage establishment in Canton since March 25, 2015.

Later in January, Canton Police notified the clerk’s office that Mulan was under investigation. The Clerk’s office also received a phone call from the Oakland County Task Force verifying the investigation and later received a letter from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

The letter, according to Canton records, indicated that Mulan had been under investigation for a year and as a result it was determined that women were habitually residing at the business location. Upon execution of a search warrant, they found women living on the premises. They were not licensed by that State Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Additionally, the letter indicated that the investigation was ongoing. On Jan. 26, Canton issued a “notice of interim suspension” to Mulan.

On February 16, Canton’s Building Official Robert Creamer revoked the Certificate of Occupancy for the establishment due to a lack of compliance with Canton Township Ordinances. A few days later, Canton Public Safety denied the application and a notification was sent to the business.

The purpose of the appeal process is to allow Mulan to present its reasons for requesting the appeal in a public forum. The company will have the right to appear and submit evidence. Following the hearing, Canton’s board will submit a written statement of its findings and determinations.

Meanwhile, Rebalance Wellness application for a massage establishment license was denied by Canton’s Public Safety Department for failing to meet zoning ordinance regulations. The business is located within 1,000 feet of another massage establishment.

Photo courtesy of Canton Township