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Board permits single‑chair, appointment‑only tattoo parlor at 229 N. 9th St., with conditions
Summary
The zoning board granted a variance to allow a single‑chair, appointment‑only tattoo parlor in the first‑floor commercial space at 229 North 9th Street, approving conditions on hours, number of chairs/operator, Harb signage approval, no loud music outside, and attention to trash; vote was unanimous.
The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to grant a variance allowing a single‑chair tattoo parlor at 229 North 9th Street, provided the operation follows the conditions outlined in testimony.
Joseph Colon, owner of Lehigh Land and Building LLC, said he bought the property in 2020 and described the building as a mixed commercial (first floor) and two residential floors above with separate meters and entrances. Counsel introduced past zoning decisions for the site dating to 1953 and 2016 showing an established history of first‑floor commercial use.
Tattoo artist Angel Crespi, the intended tenant, told the board he has roughly a decade of experience and expects to start with about “1, maybe 2 per day” and a single operator servicing one customer at a time; “it takes about 2, maybe 4 hours,” he said when asked how long a session runs. Crespi provided a bloodborne pathogens certificate dated Nov. 6, 2025, and said he would comply with public‑health requirements.
Neighboring property owners, including Kyle Evans, opposed the request citing complaints that the business had been operating without the variance, ongoing trash/litter concerns, proximity to an occupied residence with an autistic child, restricted on‑street parking and a Google listing that displayed different hours (objectors cited 11 a.m.–8 p.m.). Zoning staff asked objectors to file formal complaints so enforcement could be pursued if the business was operating without the required permits.
After admitting exhibits (deeds, floor plans, prior board decisions, renderings and Crespi’s certificate) and hearing discussion, the board approved the variance with specific conditions: hours and days as testified, only one chair and one operator on the premises at a time, Harb approval for any signage, no loud music outside the premises, and attention to trash/side‑yard management. The motion carried unanimously, 3–0.
The board or staff noted that if the business is operating in advance of final approvals, the zoning office can initiate enforcement proceedings; the applicant confirmed a lease would be executed contingent on zoning approval.
