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City Council denies zoning request for tattoo parlor
11/11/2009 12:42 AM   8 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

"Not yet" was the sentiment from Aiken City Council members for a request to create zoning for a tattoo parlor within the City limits.

The majority of Council members said they were against creating the zone. Crystal Shreve and Julian McClain asked for the zoning for a business they planned to call the Thoroughbred Tattoo Parlor. The City of Aiken does not have an area zoned for tattoo parlors.

The two also plan to put in a request to the County. Aiken County's zoning ordinance does not allow the businesses, either.

According to City Attorney Gary Smith, when the law was first passed, municipalities were obligated to allow zoning for tattoo parlors; however, an amendment was later added that municipalities have interpreted to mean that zoning does not have to be provided. He said the interpretation has yet to be challenged by the state Supreme Court.

"I think the state has said that we don't have to have a zone for that at this point," said City Councilwoman Jane Vaughters.

Vaughters said she was concerned with how the tattoo parlor would affect neighboring businesses or the property values of nearby homes. She mentioned a friend who owned a shopping center who leased space to a tattoo business. After that was done, Vaughters said, her friend had trouble renting out the space adjacent to the shop.

"My hesitation with this case is how it will affect the people that are already here paying taxes," she said.

City Councilman Dick Smith said he didn't see a reason to make changes to the zoning the City already has in place since it is working. Smith also said that he sees tattoo parlors as one of the things bringing about the "devilution" of our society.

Council denied an ordinance in 2006 that would have allowed tattoo parlors to be permitted in the City's general business zone.

The proposal would have allowed the shops only on major roadways with traffic volumes of more than 25,000 vehicles per day and restricted them from being located within 1,000 feet of a church, school or playground.

Shreve and McClain are not tattoo artists. Shreve told Council members that the two decided to pursue a tattoo parlor as a business venture because they saw a market for the services in Aiken.

If the request was approved, she said, the two would adhere to the state's guidelines for the businesses and would aim to make the shop an asset to the community.

"Every day from close to open, our focus would be that business," Shreve said.

Mayor Fred Cavanaugh said most of his reservations for granting the request stemmed from the fact that Shreve and McClain were not yet certified to run a tattoo parlor. He said if they allowed the zoning and Shreve and McClain changed their minds, the City's hands would be tied.

"Somebody else could come in here, and they wouldn't even have to come to City Council," he said.

"If I had to choose two words - 'not yet,'" said City Councilman Dick Dewar.

Shreve said she was just happy they had a chance to present the proposal to Council.

"If only a seed is planted for further talks, then to me, that's a victory," she said.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.


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  8 comment(s) on this story

tattoos in aiken :  11/15/2009

Hello, My name is Rusty. I run Got Ink Tattoo off of I-20. I am a Tattoo Artist who grew up here but moved to South Florida to Tattoo. I came back here 3years ago with hopes of opening a Tattoo shop in or near Aiken. But once I saw how backwards City Council is here, I kind of lost interest. So I opened my shop 16 miles out of town. I need help from people like the couple from Florida to get this thing passed. We actually do need to sue these knotheads!! That's what it is going to take to get it done. But if that's what they want, I'm up for it now. Are You? Please support your local Tattoo artists. Keep the money flowing here!!!

Rusty Williams

WE NEED SUPPORT! :  11/15/2009

We appreciate all the support but to get this zoning passsed, they want to see that other citizens are in support. Please show up to the county council meeting this tuesday and let your voice be heard!

Crystal and Julian

Send Freddie a pictuere of your tattoo! :  11/12/2009

Comments from Fred Cavanaugh like this are normal. He wants, instead of living by the rule of law, for you to come and kiss his ring and get the blessing of those sitting up on high in their star chamber. Yo Freddie, you don't approve this or that for them or those guys. You add that particular LAND USE to the Zoning Ordinance in the appropriate category, and yes, at that point, it's allowed by right and they don't have to bend and scrape and prevail upon you as to how good a people they are. These fools want YOU, and everyone else to have to go to City Council to exercise their rights to pursue this or that business, to put this or that type of door on their home, open or close their business at this or that period of time. No consistency mind you, Freddie and his merry band of big government moralists make it up on the fly. Want to have outdoor music? Depends on how many people, and who, show up to oppose it. Want a wood door? Have to kiss Broderick's butt. That's why we have city staff, and Council should stick to the larger picture by approving a policy for the entire City, as in a zoning ordinance for the city. Freddie wants to have a zoning ordinance that meets with his PERSONAL approval, for anyone and everyone who enters the kingdom of Aiken under the rule of Freddie. Of course, like pornography, Freddie knows what should be approved when he sees it. HE SEES IT. Just keep on stomping on people, one day soon, someone with enough cash is going to take Gary Smith up on his threat to force the Courts to slap Council's hand on their running roughshod on folks. Freddie, you would be shocked to know who in Aiken has a tattoo and where said tattoo(s) are located. I would really like to show you my tattoo sometime.

Not a fan of Shirah Law

:  11/12/2009

I hope they sue the heck out of the city. These hypocritical bible thumping morons don't care about the rights of citizens but only upholding some ridiculous moral belief that they want to force onto others. "Devilution" of our society" - serioulsy Dick Smith? Are you really that naive and stupid. Please sue the city and these freedom hating council members.

The Baron

:  11/12/2009

Sounds like a potential lawsuit in the making. You can't disallow a use just because you personally don't approve of it. How Council interprets the Law is totally bogus!

:  11/11/2009

I agree with David and Bri.

:  11/11/2009

Yet another reason not to re-elect anyone for city council!The council needs to stop their antiquated way of thinking and step into this century.More problems around bars than tattoo parlors but we have plenty of them. I for one have no problem giving my money to businesses in Augusta,Lexington county or any other place that isn't behind in the times.

David

devilution :  11/11/2009

Not yet? What kind of answer is that? Just jerk them around the whole time and then maybe they'll change their mind because you don't like the kind of business they are in? Just let them open already! If you don't like it, don't go in! Geez if it was a couple wanting to open a bible store there would not be this problem!

Bri
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