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Council approves Emerald Tablet Collective special-use permit over one nay
Summary
The Princeton City Council voted to approve a special-use permit allowing Emerald Tablet Collective to relocate and expand a body-art gallery on North Main Street; the planning commission had previously recommended approval 4–1 and one councilmember voted against the permit.
The Princeton City Council on an evening vote approved a special-use permit that will let Emerald Tablet Collective relocate a body-art gallery to a new site on North Main Street.
The permit was approved after a motion and second and a roll call that recorded Councilmember Thomas Robert Newman voting aye, Councilmember Gomez voting nay, Councilmember McCall voting aye, Councilmember Felipe voting aye and Councilmember Andrea Reid voting aye. The planning commission had recommended approval 4–1 at its prior meeting, council staff said.
The permit is required under the city code to locate body-art uses in a B‑1 district, Michael Zuri told the council when introducing the application. Zuri said the planning commission heard testimony both in support and opposition but voted to recommend the permit because the use fit the Main Street plan.
Representatives of Emerald Tablet Collective told the council the business has operated in Princeton for roughly three years and plans to move about 300 feet to the north and slightly west, buy and renovate the new building, preserve the historic storefront and expand space for art events in addition to tattoo and body-art services. The applicant said planned repairs include window restoration and trim replacement and that an artist with experience in historic window painting has been engaged to help preserve the façade.
Council members asked about the gallery’s programming and retail activities; the applicant said the expanded space would allow gallery showings, special events and room for additional artists, in addition to providing body-art services. Council members and staff noted the applicant is investing in Main Street by purchasing and renovating the building.
City staff acknowledged receiving correspondence from local business owners who had raised concerns; council members said they had reviewed those comments and weighed them in the commission and council deliberations.
The council’s approval advances the applicant’s request to a new permitted location with the special-use conditions required by the city code. No additional conditions were announced at the meeting.
