Planning staff backs single-chair tattoo studio at Northview Drive; commission sends request to BZA

Elkhart City planning staff recommended approval of a special exception to allow a single-chair tattoo studio inside a motorcycle dealership at a Northview Drive address, and the Planning Commission voted to forward the request to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) with a "due pass" recommendation.

Mike Hubert, Director of Development Services for the City of Elkhart, told the commission the petitioner, SWS Holdings LLC, owns a 12,000-square-foot building on a 0.68-acre parcel in the Northpointe Plaza shopping center. "Staff recommends approval of this special exception," Hubert said, noting the tattoo operation would occupy former office space and be restricted to a single chair.

Hubert said the site is currently subject to PUDB-3 standards and that the comprehensive plan identifies the site for parks and recreation uses. He said any renovations would require applicable building permits and that the tattoo operation would be governed by the Indiana State Department of Health and required to meet state regulations, including those governing bloodborne pathogens and sharps training.

Staff reported the tattoo business would operate entirely indoors, have limited customer volume because of the one-artist setup, and that the property has adequate parking. After brief procedural questions, a motion to send the item to the BZA with a due-pass recommendation passed on a roll call vote of those present (Osborne, Beecher, Newbill, Baker, Mishler — all voting yes).

The BZA will hear the special exception; the Planning Commission recorded no additional conditions beyond the requirement to meet applicable building and state health regulations.