Plan Commission approves special-use permit for tattoo studio at Firewheel Town Center

The Garland Plan Commission voted unanimously Sept. 22 to amend the Firewheel Town Center planned development to allow a tattoo and body‑piercing establishment in Suite A03 at 315 Coneflower Drive under a five‑year special‑use permit.

City planning staff said the request is for a planned development amendment to permit tattooing and body piercing within the center and that the proposed tenant space is about 991 square feet. "This is a request for a planned development amendment to allow a tattooing body piercing establishment on the property zoned PD 21‑19 for mixed uses," a planning staff member told commissioners during the public hearing.

The amendment was structured so the use is allowed only by special‑use permit (SUP) for the specified suite; other applicants in the PD would still need their own SUPs. "As it's presented, the PD would be amended to allow tattoo ... by SUP in the PD," the planning staff member said. Commissioners and staff confirmed the SUP requirement would apply to the suite and that any additional tattoo businesses in the PD would have to return for their own SUP and satisfy the ordinance's 500‑foot separation from sensitive uses.

Applicants Matthew Littke and Catherine (last name not specified in the record) described the business, Baroness Tattoo, as a gallery‑style tattoo studio. Matthew Littke said the studio would market fine‑art and curated space and Catherine said she draws destination clients who travel specifically for her work: "I have people, like, find me on social media and fly here specifically just to get tattooed by me," Catherine said, describing multiple‑session large pieces.

Commissioners asked about enforcement and precedent. Staff reported one other operation in Firewheel Town Center that lacked a certificate of occupancy; code enforcement will follow up. Commissioners discussed whether to allow the use by right across the PD or to require SUPs. Several commissioners expressed support for limiting the initial approval to an SUP so the city retains more control if the tenant changes. Commissioner Duckworth said he would look favorably on a five‑year SUP and Commissioner Jenkins said he preferred a five‑year term because of the risk that a different operator could replace the applicants and not provide the same concept.

Commissioner Dalton made a motion — seconded by Commissioner Abel — to amend the PD to allow the tattoo use and to issue an SUP for Suite A03 for five years. The motion passed unanimously.

The applicants were reminded they must still obtain building permits, fire department approval and any required Dallas County public‑health inspections and a certificate of occupancy before opening.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to amend PD to allow tattoo/body‑piercing use with an SUP for Suite A03 (5 years): motion by Commissioner Dalton; second by Commissioner Abel; outcome: approved unanimously. - (Earlier, as a separate procedural item) Approval of Plan Commission minutes for Sept. 8, 2025: motion by Commissioner Perris; second by Commissioner Jenkins; outcome: approved (Commissioner Dalton recused).