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Independence, MO —
Opening a tattoo parlor in Independence just got a bit easier.
With the Planning Commission's recommendation, the City Council on Monday revised a code affecting body art service – tattoo – businesses. Now, with special use permit approval, tattoo shops can locate less than 500 feet from a residential area, church, school or public park.
The change is already yielding a positive impact on a local business owner.
Chris Melchert, owner of Purgatory Tattoos at 11032 E. U.S. 40, spoke in favor of the change Monday. An Independence native, Melchert said he would like to own his business property instead of renting a storefront.
“Most of the buildings that I’ve tried to purchase or move into are actually less saturated than the area where I am at now,” he said, adding that his current building conditions are poor.
“The reason I am here is because I would like to be a business owner in Independence. I don’t want to move. My clientele don’t want me to move, and all the guys that work for me deserve a better building. My clients deserve a better building, too, so that’s why I’m here.”
Tom Scannell, assistant director of the Community Development Department, said the change allows for more flexibility in where tattoo shops can open in Independence, but it doesn’t affect the maximum number of those establishments allowed in the city.
Currently, Independence has five tattoo businesses, while the maximum number allowed is seven. That is based on one for every 15,000 residents, Scannell said.
District 4 Council Member Eileen Weir, who represents the area of Melchert’s current location, said he has looked for some time at a new storefront and hasn’t had success because of the prior restrictions in the Unified Development Ordinance.
Melchert is in negotiation to purchase a property off of U.S. 40, which was contingent upon the council’s approval of the ordinance change, Weir said. She asked for the ordinance to receive two readings Monday, and the council unanimously approved that motion, as well as the ordinance change.
“The property that he is looking to purchase is further west on 40 Highway, on the south side. It’s a building that’s been vacant for some time and has, unfortunately, fallen into disrepair,” Weir said. “So, it would be a really tremendous improvement to that part of town to have a business owner there and certainly a benefit to our city to have more property owners.”
Opening a tattoo parlor in Independence just got a bit easier.
With the Planning Commission's recommendation, the City Council on Monday revised a code affecting body art service – tattoo – businesses. Now, with special use permit approval, tattoo shops can locate less than 500 feet from a residential area, church, school or public park.
The change is already yielding a positive impact on a local business owner.
Chris Melchert, owner of Purgatory Tattoos at 11032 E. U.S. 40, spoke in favor of the change Monday. An Independence native, Melchert said he would like to own his business property instead of renting a storefront.
“Most of the buildings that I’ve tried to purchase or move into are actually less saturated than the area where I am at now,” he said, adding that his current building conditions are poor.
“The reason I am here is because I would like to be a business owner in Independence. I don’t want to move. My clientele don’t want me to move, and all the guys that work for me deserve a better building. My clients deserve a better building, too, so that’s why I’m here.”
Tom Scannell, assistant director of the Community Development Department, said the change allows for more flexibility in where tattoo shops can open in Independence, but it doesn’t affect the maximum number of those establishments allowed in the city.
Currently, Independence has five tattoo businesses, while the maximum number allowed is seven. That is based on one for every 15,000 residents, Scannell said.
District 4 Council Member Eileen Weir, who represents the area of Melchert’s current location, said he has looked for some time at a new storefront and hasn’t had success because of the prior restrictions in the Unified Development Ordinance.
Melchert is in negotiation to purchase a property off of U.S. 40, which was contingent upon the council’s approval of the ordinance change, Weir said. She asked for the ordinance to receive two readings Monday, and the council unanimously approved that motion, as well as the ordinance change.
“The property that he is looking to purchase is further west on 40 Highway, on the south side. It’s a building that’s been vacant for some time and has, unfortunately, fallen into disrepair,” Weir said. “So, it would be a really tremendous improvement to that part of town to have a business owner there and certainly a benefit to our city to have more property owners.”
