HANCEVILLE — A recommendation to allow tattoo facilities from the Hanceville Planning Commission was tabled Thursday, June 27, in order to allow councilmembers to gather more details on the proposal.
Lifelong Hanceville resident and tattoo artist Kortni Quick petitioned the council to amend its current zoning ordinance to allow her to open a tattoo shop/art gallery in May.
Because tattoo facilities are not specified in the city’s zoning ordinance, city attorney Dan Willingham said they would not be allowed to operate within the city limits until modifications are made to the ordinance.
The city did follow up on the proposal by repealing an outdated 1998 ordinance which set age restrictions on anyone looking to get a tattoo within the city limits, but did not remove any barriers for Quick.
Planning Commission President Nolan Bradford presented councilmembers with a draft proposal which would allow for tattoo facilities after what he described as an overwhelming showing of local support at the commission’s meeting Monday, June 24.
“You’re going to have a lot of people who want this,” Bradford said.
Bradford’s proposal would regulate tattoo shops to the B-2 business district and require shops to close no later than 10 p.m.
Owners would also be required to follow all local, county and state laws and get council approval for all outside signage.
One hangup in particular for councilmember John Stam was the omission of distance requirements from schools and churches.
“If they’re going to go in by schools and churches, that’s a big no from me,” Stam said. “I have talked to some other people about this. I guess it’s more of a generational difference, but a lot of the older generation are skeptical about tattoo places, especially in the downtown area.”
Bradford informed the council that they would be able to modify his recommendation however they saw fit, but Stam’s unwavering position could mean difficulties for Quick, who has already received permission to use a currently vacant side of Mann’s Garden Shop from owner, Charlie Mann.
Mann’s Garden Shop is located near the corner of Blountsville Street and Church Avenue and in close proximity to both St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church and First Baptist Church. Quick could not be reached for comment by press time.
Mann has championed his neighboring local businesses in the downtown Hanceville area and feels as though the shop would be a benefit by attracting more outside revenue to the area. He also spoke highly of Stam and his wife who he said have always been kind and supportive of him over the years.
“More or less I think it’s a shame as it is now, empty and an eyesore. I know Kortni has been trying to get the ball rolling on that and, so far, has been the only person that has been interested in seriously opening up something other than another antique store. I hope the city and Kortni are able to come to some sort of agreement,” Mann said.
Councilmember Patty Dean-Tucker spoke to Quick’s character and understood the dilemma she would face if required to find an alternate location.
“This young woman has a family and won’t be open on Sunday when church is going and I believe she would be willing to do whatever to meet the requirements the city sets. It’s just that she has already spoken to them about that particular location,” Dean-Tucker said.
Ultimately, councilmember Kenneth Cornelius recommended tabling the discussion until the next meeting scheduled for July 11.