Plan and Zoning Commission hears request to allow tattoo shops in East Davenport village

At a public hearing of the Davenport Plan and Zoning Commission, staff presented ORD26-02, a proposed zoning text amendment to add “body modification establishments” (tattooing, body piercing and nonmedical body modification) as a permitted principal use in the CV Village of East Davenport zoning district. Staff said enforcement against two existing shops has been suspended while the rezoning proceeds and recommended holding the hearing and returning with a formal recommendation at the commission's Aug. 4, 2026 meeting.

The proposed change would amend Table 17-8-1 (the city's use matrix) to show a permitted ("P") use designation for body modification establishments in the CV district. Planning staff (presenter Matt) told commissioners that text amendments apply citywide in form but that the CV district is a focused commercial design district intended to preserve a small-scale historic character; the district also is subject to a separate design-review process for building appearance, signs and streetscape elements.

Two applicants at the podium described their businesses and practices. Chelsea Frame, owner of Happy Cat Tattoo at 2200 East 11th Street, said she began buildout in March and received licensing in May. Frame said the shop employs three other artists, plans to add retail in front of the studio, prohibits alcohol on the premises and will not tattoo anyone under the influence. "I love the East Village," Frame said, explaining she moved closer to home after years of working elsewhere and that she hopes to be a long-term neighborhood business.

Ryan Kistenmacher, owner of Obscura Tattoo and Gallery at 1019 Mound Street, said his shop has operated in the East Village for about a year without incidents and that he has worked as a tattoo artist for 26 years. Both applicants said their landlords were aware of their intended uses when they signed leases.

Several neighbors and local business owners spoke in favor. Caleb Stebbins, who operates a downstairs business at 1019 Mound Street, said tattoo artists have brought customers and activity to the strip and urged approval. Bruce Boiler, a member of the Schmidt board and Village Association, said the association formed to preserve village character but recommended grandfathering the two established businesses so they may remain if the ordinance is not changed. Tony Holland urged commissioners to appreciate local artists and said tattooing has a long local history, citing an earlier parlor in Davenport around 1919.

Commissioners pressed staff on two enforcement and policy points: whether the shop operators knew the zoning restrictions before opening, and whether enforcement typically rests with property owners or tenants. Planning staff (Laura) said the applicants reported they were unaware of the requirement and that, in practice, the city generally enforces zoning against property owners while notifying tenants when a disallowed use is identified. Chair and commissioners also asked staff to provide, by the next meeting, a count of businesses on the village strip that do not serve alcohol; staff said they would coordinate with alcohol licensing and follow up.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing. Staff recommended the commission hold the public hearing record open and return on Aug. 4, 2026, with a formal recommendation and staff report on the proposed text amendment.