A Hot Tub Healing Center Has Appealed Its Permit Denial to Portland City Council. Here’s What Readers Have to Say.

Last week, WW wrote about a Northeast Portland hot tub spa, the Everett House Community Healing Center, that is imperiled because its parking lot is being turned into apartments ("Hot Water," WW, Jan. 23, 2019). Neighbors say the center has grown into a commercial enterprise that violates its city permit. Clients say the center is vital to their well-being. A city hearings officer ruled the Everett House will have to scale back its offerings to be compliant. The healing center's director filed an appeal late last week; the Portland City Council is expected to take up the issue in March. Here's what readers have to say.

Michael Berly, via Facebook: "Why are you allowed to have a 118-unit apartment building that has zero parking spaces, but the hot tub place has to go away because it can't provide 30 spots? This town is bullshit anymore."

Jonathan Baldari, via Facebook: "Something tells me if you can afford $22 an hour for some 'healing,' you can afford an Uber ride as well."

Megan Catherine, via Facebook: "This place is vital to my self care. I love it dearly! I will be so sad if it's forced to close."

Jacques Olivier, via Facebook: "Sounds like an anti-vaxxer nest. It'll be good riddance."

Alli Sayre, via Facebook: "NIMBY neighbors are celebrating this when a 118-unit building is going to make their lives way worse than Everett House ever did."

Stephen Clauben, via Twitter: "The problems of the affluent class…"

Mike Gooding, via Twitter: "Big topic not addressed was 118 apartments with no parking? I can't believe that could be true."

Matt Kosanke, via email: "I am deeply dismayed at the prospect of possibly losing this serene healing sanctuary in my neighborhood. Their location is perfect for the welcoming, peaceful relaxation this community-oriented organization provides. It would not be the same if forced to move to a more commercially designed neighborhood."

Jaimee Mackinnon, via Facebook: "This place is awesome. Portland is losing everything about it that made it special. Sigh."

Mark Stevens, in response: "Nude hot tubbing makes Portland great?"

Holly Jo Lutz, via email: "I live within two blocks of the Everett House. In this time and age of chaos and multitudes of anger for multitudes of reasons, can we really not understand how important it is for such a place to exist? Also, I feel a lot of my neighbors adore the place but don't want to get involved with the conflict. Heck, they just want to go sit in the friendly spa and reflect on how to better themselves."

August George Seidel, via Facebook: "Well, because Portland is a velotopia, no parking should not be a problem. Everyone can just bike there."