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MINUTES <br />PLANNING COMMISSION <br />NOVEMBER 10, 2005 <br />Ordinance text to allow tattoo parlors as a conditional use in the General <br />Business District. If the Commission agrees to amend the text, then it <br />must consider the application for Conditional Use Permit for this specific <br />user at the Lakeshore Avenue location. The Planner noted his <br />recommendation for a licensing requirement. While the zoning <br />regulations would be specific to the property and a conditional use permit <br />runs with the land, a license would be specific to the user and could not be <br />transferred from one user to another. Each tattoo studio would have to <br />obtain its own licensing, giving the City additional controls. The Planner <br />noted that the City does not license many businesses, and felt that this <br />particular type of business would warrant licensing. <br />3111 Miller, Australian Avenue, indicated that she lives 1 '/ blocks from the <br />property in question. Miller reported that she is opposed to the Text <br />Amendment and CUP being considered this evening. Miller asked if the <br />Text Amendment is approved if tattoo studios would then be allowed as <br />conditional uses in all B -3 Districts in the City. The Planner replied that <br />that was correct. <br />Miller felt that the Text Amendment and CUP would set a precedent that <br />was not good for the City. She felt that ministry was a good thing, but <br />noted that the next tattoo parlor may not be operated in a Christian manner <br />and the operator may not have the same objectives that Heffron has. <br />Miller asked if another operator requested a tattoo parlor and met the <br />conditions listed in the ordinance, if the City would have to approve the <br />CUP. <br />The City Planner indicated that if applicants met all conditions of the Code <br />as well as additional conditions that would be reasonable for the particular <br />property, they would be entitled to a CUP. <br />Miller pointed out that if Heffron goes out of business and another <br />operator comes in, it may be an operator that is willing to tattoo gang <br />symbols. Miller stated that she is very concerned about this business and <br />felt there were a lot of questions to be considered. Miller stated that she <br />did not think a tattoo studio would benefit her neighborhood nor Little <br />Canada as a whole. She felt it would have a negative impact on the City <br />and would depreciate the value of the homes in the area. Miller reported <br />that she and her husband purchased their home a year and a half ago after <br />looking at the area and the surrounding uses. She indicated that if the <br />tattoo studio had been there, they would not have purchased their home. <br />Miller pointed out that there are a lot of children in the area and noted that <br />the school bus stop is less than one block from where the tattoo parlor <br />would be. Miller stated that the City must consider beyond the Christian <br />tattoo parlor and the potential for less desirable operators. Miller was <br />concerned that the tattoo parlor would be an attraction to gangs. Miller <br />