11 - Zoning Change Request - 118 Lamar Avenue Block 14 Lots3-4 from Central Area District to Central Area District with a Specific Use Permit

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Item No. 11 TO: Mayor & Council FROM: John Godwin, City Manager SUBJECT: ZONING CHANGE, 118 LAMAR AVENUE DATE: April 2, 2019 BACKGROUND: Jason Vickers is requesting a zoning change from Central Area (CA) to CA with a specific use permit (CA -SUP) for an existing building located at 118 Lamar Avenue. Mr. Vickers wishes to open and operate a retail tattoo studio in that location. The intensity of this use would be compatible with the location in regards to parking, traffic, noise, and drainage issues. A tattoo studio has previously operated in this immediate area, and Mr. Vickers has successfully operated a private studio in a different location. STATUS OF ISSUE: The deciding factor for this application is whether or not this use is appropriate for the downtown area and if it will help promote and grow that area of the city, or if it might detract from it. In some segments of society, tattoos still have a negative stigma; however, in the last decade they have become very mainstream and accepted. There is no tangible reason to believe this specific use would attract any negative activity or persons, and tattooing is a common and popular use in successful downtowns in most larger cities. The question for the council is whether or not it believes this are mitigating factors at this specific location. That is of course the value of the SUP designation. Also keep in mind that the SUP process allows the city to place certain conditions on the use requested, though no conditions were considered by the commission. At its regular meeting of April 1, the planning & zoning commission conducted a public hearing on this zoning request. Three individuals spoke in support of the issue, including a neighbor and the applicant. Two spoke in opposition, including Ms. Portugal. RECOMMENDATION: By a vote of 7-0, the commission unanimously recommended to the city council approval of a zoning change from Central Area to CA -SUP for a tattoo studio.