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 asked whether specific uses already listed in the code (for example, martial arts or dance studios) would be redundant under the broader category; staff said the code could be amended to remove duplicative, specific listings and rely on the broader definition.

The commission also discussed the proposal to add tattoo and body‑piercing studios as a special‑use category in B‑1. "The tattoo parlor, body piercing studio, that is also proposed, within the B‑1 District, but staff is recommending that that be established as a special use permit rather than permitted by right," John said. Commissioners asked whether microblading or permanent‑makeup services offered at beauty salons would require those salons to seek a special‑use permit; staff recommended amending the beauty‑parlor definition in a future package to explicitly include microblading and permanent makeup so existing salons would not be forced into a separate special‑use process.

The body‑piercing/tattoo discussion also prompted questions about licensing and enforcement. Chairperson Limmons asked whether the commission should require state certification in the ordinance: "Do we need to add anything that they'd be, certified by the Department of Health?" Staff responded that health and professional licensing are state requirements enforced by state agencies and the city’s community development department does not typically verify professional licenses when reviewing land‑use applications.

The commission voted on two separate motions, as agreed during the public hearing. The motion to add "specialized instructional services" as a permitted use in the B‑1 Central Business District passed on roll call with unanimous support (5–0). A second motion to add tattoo and body‑piercing studios to the list of special uses for B‑1 passed 4–1, with one commissioner voting no. After the vote staff was asked to include language amending the beauty‑parlor definition in a future zoning text package.

The commission’s recommendations are advisory; any final ordinance change will move through the city council and the administrative process required for zoning amendments. Staff and commissioners noted that the change is intended to modernize the downtown zoning code and give the zoning administrator clear authority to treat similar new businesses consistently.

What happens next: the planning commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the city council as part of the formal zoning‑amendment process; staff signaled additional cleanup amendments (including the beauty‑parlor definition) will come in subsequent packages.

Direct quotes in this article come from the Nov. 4 commission hearing transcript and are attributed to speakers on the record.