Decatur planning commissioners recommend council approve specific-use permit for permanent makeup at tattoo studio

The Decatur Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve Specific Use Permit SUP25-0001 to allow permanent makeup application as a secondary use at a tattoo studio located at 206 North State Street, Suite 203 in the C-1A Decatur Square Business District.

Senior planner Lisa Hannon entered the staff report into the record and told commissioners the application and site and floor plans "are in substantial compliance with granting the specific use permit" and that staff recommended approval of SUP25-0001. Hannon also summarized recent local zoning changes, saying the ordinance rewrite in 2015 and a October 2024 amendment altered which personal-service and body-modification uses require a specific-use permit in city commercial districts.

The public hearing drew no speakers. After closing the hearing, the presiding commissioner moved to recommend approval to City Council; one commissioner seconded the motion. The commission recorded the vote as in favor and the motion carried.

Commissioners also completed routine business at the same meeting: they approved the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes from Nov. 7, 2024, and from December 2024 without recorded opposition. Staff noted the next Planning and Zoning meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2025 and anticipated about six new planning applications on that agenda.

Why it matters: The commission’s recommendation forwards the permit request to City Council for final action. The zoning ordinance changes noted by staff affect where permanent makeup, tattooing and related uses may operate as permitted uses or by specific-use permit in various commercial and industrial districts.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting minutes, Nov. 7, 2024 — Motion to accept made on the record; second recorded. Outcome: approved by the commission (no opposition stated). - Approval of meeting minutes, December 2024 — Motion to accept made on the record; second recorded. Outcome: approved by the commission (no opposition stated). - Recommendation for SUP25-0001 (206 North State St., Suite 203) — Motion to recommend approval to City Council; second by Commissioner Shelby Hicks. Outcome: recommendation to approve (no opposition stated).

What’s next: City Council will consider SUP25-0001; the commission’s action was a recommendation rather than final approval. Staff will include the application materials and the commission recommendation in the City Council packet when the item is scheduled.