Plan commission recommends allowing instructional studios downtown, approves tattoo/piercing shops as special use

The West Chicago Plan Commission on Nov. 4 recommended a zoning text amendment (PC 25‑12) that would add a new land‑use category for "specialized instructional services" to the B‑1 Central Business District and create a separate special‑use category for tattoo and body‑piercing studios.

John, interim director of community development, told the commission the amendment is in two parts. "So this is a zoning text amendment that, is proposed by staff, and it's broken up into 2 parts really," he said, outlining that the instructional‑services category would allow businesses where people attend to learn a skill — examples he gave included yoga, cooking classes, tutoring and martial arts. "We're proposing that that be a permitted use, in the B‑1 because it's similar to other uses that are are permitted," he said.

Commissioners debated practical effects and overlaps with existing code. Several members…