Not known as a place for passionate debate, The Woodlands Standards Committee turned into an emotional, and at times testy, gathering Wednesday, Jan. 17, with accusations of racism and counter charges of a "character assassination" being leveled during discussion of a home-based massage business.

During the meeting, committee members heard arguments on behalf of and against a woman who has been running a massage business out her home in the Village of Indian Springs since 2010.

The operator of the business - Maria Mercedes Vargas - spoke firmly and passionately as she addressed the committee, reminding members that she was granted permission by the same committee several years ago to provide massages out of her home. Part of the money she earns from her business, she said, goes to help her elderly parents.

"I have not only raised my children thanks to my hard work, but I also support my elderly parents since I am an only child," she said in an impassioned plea to allow her to keep her business running. "I was granted permission by this committee several years ago to work in my house giving massages, for which I am licensed by the state of Texas."

Public records available online from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation show Vargas has been licensed to operate as a massage therapist since 2008 and has no violations.

Vargas said her clients come to her home one at a time and park in her driveway, not on the street. She also said she has no employees and claims she does not advertise her business, which operates under the name Central American Massage. Vargas has lived in the 1,735-square-foot home on North Rushwing Circle for more than 20 years.

RACISM CLAIMED IN OPPOSITION TO THE MASSAGE BUSINESS

Vargas claimed racism is the basis of complaints against her and her business, an allegation supported by her adult children and others who spoke on her behalf at the meeting.

The allegations of racism were vehemently disputed by neighbors who want her business shut down.

"I am an honest person and I work very hard to support my family," Vargas said. "This problem of racism, I find it that I may lose my only source of income because of personal discrimination."

Vargas' two sons and her daughter spoke at the meeting on her behalf as well, with her son Christopher Vargas and daughter, Jennifer Vargas, leveling similar accusations of discrimination.

"When is enough enough," Christopher Vargas asked, as supporters applauded.

NEIGHBORS CITE TRAFFIC, PARKING PROBLEMS

Neighbors of Vargas who are against the massage business said racism had nothing to do with their opposition. Instead they cited supposed traffic, parking and other issues associated with the massage business. Twenty people signed a petition in opposition to the business.

Helen Nash, a resident who is opposed to the massage business, disputed the claims of racism leveled against those who are trying to close the business.

"Let me set it straight right quick, Sean (Dever) is not a racist," Nash said of Sean Dever, a leading opponent of Vargas' business. "(Sean) is not prejudiced. If he was I would be the one to detect that."

Nash, who has lived directly across the street from the Vargas home for 25 years, said she and the other opponents were concerned about traffic and parking problems, saying there were times, "I can hardly get out of my driveway."

Another neighborhood homeowner, Corinne Dever, also claimed there were traffic issues on the street because of the message business. Corinne Dever also said there were home business violations and yard maintenance issues.

"We believe this particular home business in inappropriate for any neighborhood in The Woodlands and violates the home business standard." Corinne Dever said as she urged the committee to shut down the message business.

Corinne Dever's husband, Sean Dever, who was the originator of the petition against the massage business, also addressed the committee, not only urging the DSC to close the business, but claiming he was the victim of personal attacks.

"A residential massage parlor is not exactly an exceptional idea. What it does it creates winners and losers," Sean Dever said. "We were very aware the Vargas' rebuttal would be a character assassination of myself."

Sean Dever also referenced what he termed venomous emails that were recently sent out.

"You heard the doubling down of the racism themes that you heard from Mrs. Vargas." Sean Dever said. "We ask this committee to consider the facts and to finally revoke the authorization of the message business in our neighborhood."

After hearing from both sides, DSC members went into an executive session where they discussed the matter privately for about 45 minutes. As they did, members of both groups gathered and talked within feet of each other, with neither side acknowledging their opponents as they awaited the committee's return.

When the committee did return, members voted unanimously to take no action on the request to revoke the previous approval allowing Vargas to run a massage business out of her home.

"I want to make sure that while we take no action to this request, the home based-business still needs to adhere to the standards," said Committee Member John Anthony Brown. "So I want to make sure that's clear that any time that we feel there's any violations we can still take care of matters."

Committee Member Brian Boniface said despite the complaints from neighbors, the DSC had done its "due diligence" in the matter.

"And based on that, that's why I'm supporting they take no action," Boniface said.

Brown and Boniface, who are both also members of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, were appointed to the DSC in December.

Vargas said she was pleased with the decision.

"I am happy because I am really, really a good lady," she said. "I live in The Woodlands, I'm really really proud and appreciate my friends, my kids."

Sean Dever said he was "disappointed" in the DSC's decision, while also saying that his opposition to the massage business was not based on racism.

"I'm disappointed with the decision because without any zoning in The Woodlands, we rely on (the DSC) to protect the residents from massage parlors in our community, and the standards say they will," Dever said. "But (the DSC) haven't."