Planning commission approves special-use permit for tattoo and body-piercing studio at My Salon Suite

The Westminster Planning Commission voted unanimously March 25 to approve a special-use permit allowing a tattoo and body-piercing operation to lease and operate a suite inside My Salon Suite at the Westglenn Subdivision commercial center near West 80th Avenue and Wattenberg Parkway.

Associate planner Jennifer Baden presented the staff recommendation and said the application met the city's SUP standards and the nine approval criteria staff applies to special-use requests. "Staff found that the use proposed with this application would be well suited to the area proposed and be as similar to like operations in the surrounding location," Baden said, noting the tenant space is interior to the building and would not be visible from the public right of way.

The permit would allow only the current My Salon Suite operator at this location to host the tattoo and body-piercing business; Baden said the approval does not run with the land, is nontransferable and would expire if abandoned for a year or more. Staff also told commissioners that the official development plan (ODP) for the center, recorded in 1999, accounted for commercial and retail uses and had already addressed parking, circulation, trash access and other site planning elements.

Applicant Tracy Olmer, owner of My Salon Suite, described the business model and local site. "I have one in Westminster, one in Louisville, and one in Thornton," Olmer said. She told commissioners each suite is an independent, lockable business unit that the operator rents weekly; suites are configured for beauty services by default but can be converted to accommodate non-hair services such as tattooing. Olmer said the Westminster location has 30 suites, onsite laundry, restroom facilities and a secured entry system that requires clients to call a suite to be admitted.

Two members of the public spoke in favor. Ward Steinberg, who said he lives within walking distance of the center, said he toured the facility and supported the permit: "I also am in favor of granting this permit," he said, citing ample parking and the potential for increased foot traffic to neighboring businesses. John Palmer asked whether individual tattoo operators would be licensed and whether liability insurance would be required; Olmer replied that each suite lease requires business liability insurance and that tenants must be licensed and comply with city and state regulations.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve the SUP, and Commissioner Mayo seconded. "It seems like a very good fit for this area," Carpenter said, adding that the applicant "has done her homework." The commission then called a roll and the motion passed unanimously.

The approval is conditioned on compliance with Section 11-4-8 of the Westminster Municipal Code and all other applicable city codes and regulations; no exterior alterations or additional parking were required for the tenant to operate. The decision allows the tattoo and body-piercing service to operate only under the current My Salon Suite ownership at this address and carries the time-limited, nontransferable condition described by staff.

The commission also announced upcoming public study sessions on a unified development code revision, scheduled for the commission's first monthly meetings beginning in May to review work by the consultant team.

Votes at a glance: Planning commission motion to approve a special-use permit for a tattoo and body-piercing parlor at My Salon Suite — Mover: Commissioner Carpenter; Second: Commissioner Mayo; Outcome: Approved unanimously.