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Council approves conditional use for tattoo studio expansion at College Street after quasi‑judicial hearing
Summary
After a quasi‑judicial public hearing, Clinton City Council approved a conditional‑use permit allowing Luis Guzman to expand an existing tattoo studio from 915 to 919 College Street, increase employees from three to seven and operate Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–8 p.m., contingent on compliance with Sampson County Environmental Health and Clinton Land Development Ordinance standards.
Clinton City Council approved a conditional‑use permit on April 1 that will allow a family‑owned tattoo studio operated by Luis Guzman to move from 915 to 919 College Street, increase its staff from three to seven and operate Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The council conducted a quasi‑judicial hearing under oath for those who chose to speak. Planning staff recorded the property as Highway Commercial and explained the applicant must satisfy Sampson County Environmental Health requirements for tattoo operations and meet the five special‑use standards in the Clinton Land Development Ordinance.
Luis Guzman testified about seven years of operation at 915 College Street and described plans to expand into a larger adjacent storefront. “I have a lot of clients that became family and friends… I’m proud to be part of the community,” Guzman said under oath.
Council members asked staff about parking availability and were told there is paved parking along the front, east side and rear of the property and that the surface is improved. The council took separate motions on each of the required standards (compliance with ordinance requirements, public‑health and safety, property‑value impact, harmony with the area, and consistency with the land‑use plan); each standard passed on voice votes, and the final conditional‑use approval carried on voice vote.
The approval is conditional on meeting environmental‑health and land‑development requirements noted in staff reports. Council concluded the proceedings with congratulatory remarks to the applicant.
