Much-debated 'Tattoo' Zoning Ordinance Finally Enacted

Fairhope, Alabama

CHANGES MADE FROM INCEPTION

The city council introduced and immediately enacted a modified version of a zoning ordinance first proposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission last Spring, restricting where certain businesses may locate within the city.

In response to input from the owners of the city's only tattoo-art establishment (pictured), Kevin Black and Frank Thrasher (Man OWar Inc.) -- the council decided to make a significant change:

Body-Piercing Studios, Non-Charted Financial Institutions, Palm Readers, and Pawn Shops are restricted from the Central Business District; but Tattoo Parlors are not (as long as they satisfy other requirements). Black's business is currently located downtown.

Also, the council lessened the minimum-required distance between such businesses from 5,000 feet to only 1,000; and eliminated the requirement for them to obtain a special permit from the Board of Adjustments.

All such businesses are permitted in B-2 zoned areas only - and must be more than 275 feet from residentially-zoned areas, places of worship, schools, or public parks.

Besides Man O War Tattoos (downtown on Fairhope Ave.) there are currently two 'payday-type' loan stores operating on Greeno Rd. All are operating in compliance with the new ordinance.

Thrasher said watching the legislative process made him "proud to be a part of it."

Black made no comments before the vote.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Can I get a King Kant Tat...how rocks the house? If I can not get a King Kant tat how about a Council President Tat of the fight at the Grand Hotel?
Anonymous said…
Fight at the Grand? More details please.
Anonymous said…
I now a little about that story myself but not enough to comment. I heard from third party and cant believe it didnt come up during the election...assuming its true of course.
Anonymous said…
Here we go again. More evil small town gossip, from small minded people with too much time on their hands.
Anonymous said…
Pray to Jesus to save all the sinners of Fairhope!
Anonymous said…
home grown boys (and girls) get special favors the rest of us don't...
tattoos said…
tattoos parlors are too expensive
Myra said…
You better believe that "home grown girls and boys" -- and their bullying, evil-thinking, conniving counterparts -- whom have long served the judges, doctors, lawyers, liars and politicians -- get "special favors." I moved there in 2003 to think about starting a business and was bullied, bitched at, screamed and yelled at about everything from my gardening, choice (or lack) of religion, had a local yokel menace, threaten, humiliate and conspire against me with her drug addicted, drug-pushing and other "friends -- and I was the one whom went to jail. Fairhope is a Farce, depending whom you are and whom you "kiss the asses of." Not a nice place to live at all. Once you're there, you might as well be in "prison."