P&Z splits on tattoo shop

During its Jan. 10 meeting, the Waxahachie Planning and Zoning Commission split with a 3-3 vote on a zoning change request to allow a tattoo shop in the Rogers Hotel, located at 100 N. College St. in downtown Waxahachie.

The request would change the zoning from Central Area, which prohibits tattoo shops, to Planned Development Central Area, which would allow Lost Veil Tattoo to open inside Rogers Hotel in Suite 305.

Lost Veil Tattoo is located at 300 N. Interstate 35E frontage road in Waxahachie, and owner Zach Rench said after getting his haircut at the Rogers Hotel two years ago, he fell in love with the building.

“I love the haunted vibes, and the old vibe that it gives off,” Rench said.

According to the city staff report, the Planning Department recommended denial because they were concerned “about the number of tattoo shops within the downtown area in such proximity to one another.” Lost Veil would be the third tattoo shop, with Ink Masters on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Heart-In-Hand on the corner of Rogers and Jefferson streets.

When asked if he had considered other properties in the downtown area zoned commercial, which would allow for a tattoo shop, Rench said he had not looked.

“I went with my heart,” Rench said. “My heart was set on the Rogers. I really love that building.”

Rench said the only signage they would have would be within the Rogers Hotel, similar to the other businesses operating there. He expressed his desire for the establishment to be “lowkey” with no exterior signage. Lost Veil would have three tattoo artists, including Rench, and would be by-appointment only, not allowing walk-ins.

Another concern by city staff was it would set a precedent for future tenants in the Rogers Hotel.

“It would set a precedent for possibly other tenants in that hotel to also make a similar request but maybe for a different use,” Eleana Tuley, senior planner, said.

If the request is approved, it would come with conditions. The tattoo shop would operate only in Suite 305 of the Rogers Hotel with hours of operation 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. A license by the Texas Department of State Health Services would be required at all times, and only Lost Veil Tattoo would have permission to operate a tattoo shop on the property.

“This is the exact type of location you would want for something like this,” member Erik Test said. “It is hidden in the hotel and across from a barber shop. The fact is we’ve done other ones (tattoo shops) down here, so I have no problem with it.”

Test, Melissa Ballard, and David Hudgins voted for the request, with Bonney Ramsey, Rick Keeler and Ron Ansell voting against it. Betty Square Coleman was absent at the meeting, resulting in the split decision and no recommendation.

Since there was a tie vote, the item will need a three-fourths majority vote from the city council for it to pass. The matter will be presented to the city council for approval during an upcoming meeting.

Originally published January 13, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/p-z-splits-on-tattoo-shop/article_89df09c4-9378-11ed-acf6-8bb19df1283f.html