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Arlington commission approves permit for two tattoo/piercing studios inside Town North salon suites
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Summary
The City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 21 approved a specific‑use permit (SUP25‑11) allowing two tattoo or piercing studios inside Phoenix Salon Suites at 536 West Randall Mill Road, limiting the use to two suites (maximum 330 sq ft total) and requiring DSHS licensing and other staff conditions.
The City of Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8–1 on Jan. 21 to grant SUP25‑11, a specific‑use permit allowing two tattoo or piercing studios inside an existing salon suite at 536 West Randall Mill Road in the Town North shopping center.
Senior planner Cecilia Nelson told the commission the subject property is approximately 0.22 acres in a Community Commercial zoning district and that staff recommended approval with conditions including that the SUP be nonassignable, nontransferable, limited to the applicant (Thanos Ventures LLC), and limited to two suites with a maximum combined square footage of 330 square feet. "The request is to add 2 of the lease spaces for tattoo or piercing studios," Nelson said during her presentation.
Applicant Kedar Nigudkar, a Phoenix Salon Suites franchisee who lives in Plano, said the salon occupies about 9,551 square feet with 55 individual studios and that the request would allow any two of those studios to be used for tattoo services. "The request at a glance [is] allowed 2 studios for tattoo services," Nigudkar said, adding that the studios are appointment‑based, private, have hot/cold sinks and that no exterior changes or new signage are proposed.
Commissioners focused on operational controls and public safety. Commissioner Carter asked about sharps and hazardous waste, saying, "What will happen with all their hazardous trash that has blood on it?" Nigudkar replied that Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) licensing and inspections apply and that artists must complete blood‑borne pathogen training; staff and commissioners urged the applicant to be prepared to answer those questions again before City Council.
Commissioner Blake, who said he was initially skeptical of tattoo parlors, described the application as an acceptable fit for this location: "As long as we're not doing a 24‑7 shop that has revolving doors, you have my vote in this case," he said before making the motion to approve.
The commission adopted the staff recommendations limiting the SUP to the applicant and to two studios (not to exceed a combined 330 square feet). The motion passed 8–1. The chair instructed the applicant to prepare for presentation before City Council, where council members are expected to ask similar questions about operations and sharps disposal.
Background and next steps: Staff identified one letter of opposition on the file. If approved by City Council, the applicant must complete any required DSHS licensing and inspections before tattooing operations begin. The owner listed in the staff report is Town North Arlington Partners LLC; the applicant was listed as Thanos Ventures LLC on the application. The commission will consider additional cases at its Feb. 4 meeting.
