The Maplewood Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to allow a tattoo parlor in a Light Manufacturing zone, which is the areas along Greenwood Boulevard and Hanley Road south of Maplewood Commons.
Five years ago the planning commission voted to allow tattoo parlors in Light Manufacturing, but it didn’t pass the city council.
When the city council took it up Tuesday night, the issue wasn’t if, but where.
Barry Greenberg, Shawn Faulkingham (both Ward 3), David Cerven (Ward 1) and Tim Dunn (Ward 2) all expressed the opinion that a tattoo parlor didn’t need to be limited to Light Manufacturing.
Greenberg said he doesn’t have a tattoo and doesn’t plan on getting one, but suggested that tattoo parlors be allowed in any business zoning district.
Faulkingham agreed. “I think it’s another one of those things that have a stigma attached to them that’s unwarranted,” he said.
A tattoo parlor wouldn’t qualify for CB1 (Central Business—mainly along Manchester Road from Big Bend east to the city boundary) on the first floor.
Dunn asked Mayor Jim White if there was an area where he didn’t want tattoo parlors, adding that “it’s a little off-beat.”
“If you’ve noticed the signage, the numbers of tattoos, I don’t think it’s appropriate for families with kids,” White said. “That’s a main, walkable area to see some of these things displayed in windows.”
Not surprisingly, Jim Honey, manager at Iron Age tattoo parlor on Delmar Boulevard in University City, has a different opinion.
“I think it would be good for Maplewood,” he said on Wednesday in the shop. “It’s kind of close to us, so it would be direct competition, but I think (Manchester Road) would do good with something like that.”
Asked about putting one in a light manufacturing zone, Honey said, “I think that would defeat the purpose, because you’d want it just like you’d want a record store, or a salon, or a bookstore or anything that’s on Manchester itself. It would go well with that.”
After further discussion about what zone or zones to allow a tattoo parlor in Maplewood, the city council agreed to table the motion with a 4-3 vote, and get back to it in a reasonable amount of time.
Not for a tatoo parlor(s) along Greenwood. It’s trying to come alive again & I just don’t think that is what the Greenwood neighborhood needs. I don’t think it would enhance the neighborhood or entice others.
[…] this be tabled because two members of the council will be absent. In the Nov. 12 council meeting, several council members expressed the opinion that tattoo studios don’t need to be restricted to an LM zone, but a consensus wasn’t reached on where they […]
There are currently prohibitions along the “Manchester Strip” for massage parlors, off-track betting, package liquor stores, rent-to-own stores, payday check cashing services and convenience stores–all legitimate businesses. Why only address tattoo parlors? Shouldn’t we consider opening all of these to anybody that wants to locate a store there?
These are not all comparable. Payday check cashing and rent-to-own are economically exploitative “businesses” that don’t belong in healthy societies. Package liquor and convenience stores aren’t really a good fit for the kind of commerce along the Manchester Strip. A Massage Envy or a tattoo shop are both professional services, not unlike a hair salon, and we have a couple of those already.
We agree, then. The first purpose of Planning and Zoning districts is to protect and enhance the unique flavors of our community. Adding in the spice of a Tattoo/Piercing shop to the existing mix will, without question, change the flavor of the overall presentation. The question before Maplewood citizens and leaders is whether that spice will be helpful to both the community and the other businesses in the district. Like any good chef, you have every right to express your preferences for what flavors you like (and don’t like), but allow others the same opportunity. You’re not the only one that finds some businesses more desirable than others.
The zoning discussion about tattoo parlors isn’t about the social justice of whether people who wear tattoos are good, bad, accepted or not. This is really a question of whether or not we as citizens think a particular additional flavoring will enhance or hurt the dish Maplewood is known for.
Yeah, I’m not sure we agree. It is my opinion that if hair salons are allowed, reputable massage/spa establishments and tattoo shops should also be allowed, being that they are the same type of business. I’m not sure if you read all of my reply above.
In 2013, walking by a tattoo parlor with children in tow should NOT be a problem.
That makes a second time that Mayor White has made comments regarding social issues that make me cringe. When is that position up for election again?
Again, I agree with you, Becca! I’m glad to hear that other members of the council have a different (and in my opinion, better) viewpoint.