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Council approves use variance allowing Sacred Moon Tattoo LLC at Salon Suites, conditioned to operator and location
Summary
After a favorable recommendation from the Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals, Highland Town Council voted 5–0 to grant a use variance enabling Sacred Moon Tattoo LLC to operate a tattoo studio at 2715 Main St., Suite 205, with the variance expressly limited to the named operator and the address.
Highland Town Council voted Monday to accept an Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals recommendation and grant a use variance permitting a tattoo studio at Salon Suites, 2715 Main St., Suite 205.
The petitioner, tattoo artist Staci Hearne, testified to the ABZA that she has eight years of tattooing experience, maintained a client-release form with medical screening and follows annual blood-borne-pathogens training. Hearne said the Highland location would be her sole place of employment. The ABZA voted 4–0 to send a favorable recommendation to the Town Council, attaching a condition that the variance be personal to the current operator and not run with the land.
At Monday’s council meeting, Councilor Alex Robertson moved to accept the ABZA recommendation; Councilor Doug Turich seconded. The roll-call vote was five affirmative and no negative votes. The variance was granted with the in-person/in-rem condition recorded in the ABZA findings.
Why it matters: The council’s action allows a business to open in a B‑3 General Business district even though tattoo studios are not listed as a permitted use in that zoning category; the permitting path required the variance and the council’s timely action. The ABZA and petitioner emphasized safety protocols and business licensing. Town attorney John Reed advised that permits and any required local approvals should be in the name of Sacred Moon LLC and Ms. Hearne and that the ABZA’s limitation requires a future tenant to seek a new variance.
What the ABZA and petitioner said: "Indiana does not currently require licensing of tattoo artists," Hearne told the board, adding she holds recurring medical training for sanitary practice. Counsel John Reed advised the use variance be issued to the LLC and the petitioner and that property and operator be both listed in the permit language.
Next steps: The petitioner may proceed with local permit applications consistent with the ABZA condition; future occupants of Suite 205 seeking the same use would need to reapply. The clerk’s office will incorporate the ABZA findings of fact into the record.
