12-19-07 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 19, 2007 The Planner indicated that the applicant has indicated that his hours of operation would be from Noon to 8:00 p.m. He would like some flexibility, however, to finish up with a client after the 8:00 p.m. closing time if need be. The Planner noted that the tattoo parlor would be located within The Press Gym which has hours of operation from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. He also noted that the use would be located more than the minimum 300-foot separation from residential use as provided for in the ordinance. The Planner indicated that the Planning Commission had discussed conducting a background check on tattoo artists, however, did not include that requirement in the ordinance. Allan asked why the tattoo parlors are not already included as an allowable use in the ordinance. The City Planner pointed out that the City was first approached relative to the tattoo parlor use about two years ago when the same applicant was seeking to locate in the strip mall at Little Canada Road and Lakeshore Avenue. The concern at that time was relative to the adjacent residential area, and the City Council denied the request. Allan pointed out that she sees no information in the tattoo parlor report on requirements in the Cities of Roseville or Maplewood. The Planner indicated that in doing his study, he checked for representative ordinances that dealt with the issue comprehensively. Allan pointed out that the majority of the City's PUD Zoning Districts are redevelopment areas. She questioned whether a tattoo parlor was an acceptable use for the redevelopment area or would be better located in an industrial or business/warehousing area. The City Planner noted that the City's PUD areas are almost exclusively retail. He felt a tattoo parlor was better suited to a retail area than an industrial or business-warehousing area. Dan Stock, The Press Gym, appeared before the Council and reported that he leases 16,000 square feet at the Market Place Shopping Center. He would like to sublease 400 square feet to Brandon Heffron so that he might operate a tattoo parlor in this location. Mr. Heffron currently has a tattoo parlor in St. Paul. Stock reported that he has visited this business and it is well run and clean. Mr. Heffron has met all the City of St. Paul's licensing requirements for a tattoo parlor. Stock also noted that while the State will allow people less than 18 years of age to obtain a tattoo with their parent's consent, Mr. Heffron will not tattoo anyone under 18 years of age. Stock reported that he has reviewed the City Planner's report and indicated that the business can meet all the requirements recommended by the Planner. Stock felt this was a good location for the tattoo parlor, and noted that many of the patrons of his gym will likely be customers. 4