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Lakeway Board of Adjustment approves variance for appointment-only tattoo studio at Tillman Building
Summary
On May 14 the Lakeway Board of Adjustment approved a variance allowing an appointment-only tattoo and cosmetic-tattoo business, Zen 9, to operate at 1017 Ranch Road (Tillman Building) with a restriction limiting on-site advertising to a placard on the building; no letters of objection were recorded.
On May 14 the Lakeway Board of Adjustment approved a variance to allow an appointment-only tattoo and cosmetic-tattoo studio to operate at 1017 Ranch Road (the Tillman Building). The board voted to grant the applicant a land-use variance from Section 30.04.0.001 of the Lakeway code, which lists tattoo parlors as a prohibited use, and conditioned approval on limited on-site advertising.
The applicant, artist Trent Velo, told the board his business, registered as Zen 9, would be a private, appointment-only studio on the second floor (suite 220) and described it as a low-impact operation. "I'm an artist of over 14 years' experience," Velo said, adding the studio would use "single-use disposable needles" and hospital-grade disinfectants and would typically handle one client at a time. He said hours would generally start around 11 a.m. and extend into the early evening, not overnight.
Staff's presentation described the property as zoned C-1 and said the Tillman Building location is specifically listed against that code section; staff noted the applicant supplied the eight required variance criteria in the application. During the hearing staff also cited the board's procedural requirement that overturning a staff determination requires a supermajority vote under Section 30.07.072 of the code.
Board members questioned whether the proposed operation should be classified as a tattoo parlor or a cosmetic/medical-tattoo use and pressed on signage, hours and staffing. The applicant said most clients come via online marketing and that he planned minimal exterior signage. The board discussed signage options and whether a nearby multicolored monument sign applied to the applicant's suite; staff clarified that monument sign served a different lot and not the applicant's address.
After discussion, a member moved to approve the variance with a restriction that on-site advertising be limited to the existing placard-style sign on the building; another member seconded the motion. The Chair said he would "want a restriction of no illuminated sign facing the highway," a restriction the applicant said he could accept. The board held a voice vote; the Chair declared the motion approved and congratulated the applicant.
Staff noted no letters of objection had been received and there were no public commenters at the hearing. The board adjourned after the approval. The variance is tied to the approved applicant at this site; staff said a different applicant or a move to a new location would require a new variance application.
Key details from the hearing include the site (Tillman Building, 1017 Ranch Road/RR 620 South), suite 220, an approximate studio size the applicant estimated as "a little over 500 square feet," applicant business name Zen 9, and the condition limiting on-site advertising to a placard on the building. The board referenced the applicable code provisions (Section 30.04.0.001 and Section 30.07.072) during deliberations.
