Zoning change for restorative tattoo studio approved

During its April 3 meeting, the Waxahachie City Council unanimously approved a zoning change request to allow a restorative tattoo studio, Studio Iris, to operate in Suite A at 120 N. U.S. Highway 77.

Studio Iris specializes in cosmetic tattoos like brow services, lip blush, eyeliner, freckles, and beauty marks, as well as restorative tattoos for the areola, belly button and more. The studio operates on an appointment-only basis, not allowing walk-ins.

The request, which changes the zoning from general retail, which prohibits tattoo studios, to planned development general retail, was previously presented to council Feb. 20, where it was tabled to another date, and to the city’s planning and zoning commission Feb. 14, where denial was recommended with a 4-1 vote, with Erik Test dissenting.

“It is not your typical tattoo shop,” owner Iris Showalter had said during the council meeting Feb. 20. “It is more of a spa-like environment. I specialize in realistic, all-natural tattoo work for those seeking paramedical, restorative and reconstruction work for the loss of areas due to cancer, surgeries, accidents, autoimmune diseases or disorders and other special circumstances.”

At the Feb. 20 meeting, council members expressed how they felt Studio Iris did not fall into the category of tattoo studios and discussed the possibilities for a zoning change at their work session Feb. 24.

City staff previously recommended denial during the Feb. 14 and Feb. 20 meetings to remain “consistent with past recommendations” for “numerous zoning requests” for tattoo studios received by the city, according to their report. During the April 3 meeting, they recommended approval.

“I would like to note that staff is satisfied with the information provided by the applicant, and staff recommends approval of the item that’s before you today,” Jennifer Pruitt, senior director of planning, said.

“This is an example of when (a) business works with the staff (and) gets things done,” council member Patrick Souter said. “She (Showalter) heard our issues …we asked her to work with staff, and, here we are, we got something done.”

According to the city report, the approval of the request comes with conditions. The “cosmetic and restorative” tattoo studio would operate only in Suite A, which is about 550 square feet, at the location, with hours of operation from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. A license by the Texas Department of State Health Services would be required, and only Studio Iris and Showalter have permission to operate a tattoo shop on the property.

City staff and city council are working toward a change in the zoning ordinances regarding tattoo studios. It was a topic of discussion at the work session Feb. 24 and will be presented to the planning and zoning commission and the city council at upcoming meetings.

Originally published April 7, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/zoning-change-for-restorative-tattoo-studio-approved/article_debac950-d50a-11ed-87c4-2b46c7c668fb.html