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Johnston County approves modification to Artmosphere special-use permit to allow tattoo studio with limits
Summary
Board of Commissioners approved a modification to a 2018 special-use permit for 3919 Raleigh Road to allow a private tattoo studio, limiting hours to 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m. and the studio footprint to 500 square feet.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved a modification to an existing special-use permit on May 5 to allow a private tattoo studio at Artmosphere Community Art Center, 3919 Raleigh Road in Cleveland Township.
Planning Director Brasten Newton told the board the hearing was quasi-judicial and reminded commissioners that their decision must be based on four findings of fact in the Land Development Code, including whether the proposed use would "maintain or promote the public health, safety and general welfare." The applicant, Amanda McNulty, said the Artmosphere Community Art Center has operated at the address since February 2018 and described the studio as a small, appointment-only operation integrated with the center’s existing arts programming.
McNulty said two local tattoo artists would work by appointment only in a private room and that no piercing or expanded commercial signage is planned. McNulty said health department staff had already inspected the site informally and that the artists have an existing relationship with the Johnson County Health Department. "We're not gonna include any expansion to parking… it's just literally one person in, getting their tattoo, and making an appointment," McNulty said.
During deliberations, a board member proposed and the board adopted conditions that add tattooing to the permit's allowed uses, limit tattoo studio operating hours to Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and cap the tattooing space at a maximum of 500 square feet. The motion passed on an oral vote with no recorded nay votes. The county clerk closed the hearing after the vote.
The commissioners and a board member who visited the site noted the property is a preserved historic home and the applicant emphasized the studio would be aligned with the center’s community-oriented mission. No neighbors testified for or against the request at the hearing, according to the record.
The approved modification is limited to the tattooing use and the conditions adopted at the May 5 hearing. Any future physical expansion or change of hours beyond the adopted limits would require additional review or a new permit.
