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Council weighs modernizing body‑art rules to let tattoo and cosmetic practitioners operate beyond TED district
Summary
The council heard a proposal from the city solicitor and planning staff to amend zoning to allow traditional tattooing and cosmetic body‑art (microneedling, microblading) in additional districts by special permit; local practitioners urged the change and councilors discussed whether some districts should allow by‑right use or limits on total shops.
Claire Zurillo of the city solicitor’s office and John Festa from planning presented the proposed zoning amendment to update where body‑art establishments may operate. Zurillo said the goal is to reflect changing practice and to allow both traditional tattoo artists and newer cosmetic body‑art practitioners to seek permission in additional districts; the amendment currently proposes special‑permit permission in targeted districts rather than broad by‑right allowance.
Local residents and business owners testified in favor. Tattoo studio owner Alicia Thompson said zoning barriers previously forced her to open in another city; she asked to bring jobs and revenue back to Revere. Resident Steven Damiano told the council that tattoos are common across professions and urged removing outdated restrictions.
Councilors generally supported modernizing the ordinance but debated details: Councilor Cagliandro proposed adding more districts or making body‑art by right in more areas; Councilor Mercurio suggested limiting the total number of shops the city allows. Planning staff urged subcommittee review to refine district boundaries and whether to keep certain uses to special permit review by the council or to allow the license commission to set location‑specific conditions. The council directed the item to zoning for further drafting and public hearings.
