Zoning and reference letter

[Bones]

One of our artist friends has been initially denied permission from a city council to open up a shop. He is asking for a show of support next week at an appeal before the city council and mayor next week. We were planning on writing a letter of reference for him and were wondering what things we might want to highlight that could be persuasive to the city council to grant permission.

Any ideas?

[Marisa_DiMattia (Kakoulas)]

1. Hygiene and safety.
2. Tattooing as an art.
3. Clientele (who YOU are is a BIG help).
4. Tattooing as a "recession proof business" bringing tax money into the community.
5. The cost to the community. Other city councils have lost major legal battles when denying permits at a cost to the taxpayer. Best to approve the permit than fight it in court.

Good luck!

[Jason Rittie]

I agree with Marisa, but also it is good to compare the tattoo shop to other permitted uses in the existing zoning regulations. Demonstrate that everyone from soccer moms to lawyers to mayors get tattoos and it is truly an art. Show that allowing the tattoo shop in the zone will not have a detrimental impact on the existing zone plan or to the public. In NJ, there is an explicit Municipal Land Use Law that legally gives the applicant rights to demonstrate his/her entitlement to a variance in zoning.

[Marisa_DiMattia (Kakoulas)]

Remind me to pick your brain, Jason, on the Municipal Land Use law and making that case. Would love to learn more.

[Phoenix]

Thanks to both of you. We wrote the letter and hope it helps. I also sent your tips to them directly.

[Bones]

Well, we went to the city council meeting in support of the Krusemans this evening. They presented their case well before the council with several speaking in support of them and no one speaking against them. The best moment was when the sweet elderly woman who will be renting the space to them spoke on their behalf, reminding the council that she and her husband have an upstairs apartment where they periodically reside. She testified that she felt absolutely safe with the Krusemans and their clientele in the space beneath them and if she didn't she would not have rented the space to them. Their clients basically filled the room. As we were walking in, we heard one person say that it had never been as crowded before. When their matter was completed, the room emptied. They do not rule until next Monday, so all will just have to wait, hope, and see.

[pluggin]

Good luck! I've been away from the internet for a week so sorry I didn't see this sooner. I also thought that depending on the area the shop is intended to be in, it would be good to refer to the demographic mix of the population. Eg if it were in a relatively high income, highly visited area, it can be argued that a tattoo shop contributes to the cosmopolitan "feel" of the neighbourhood.

[Bones]

They did speak about the "diversity" it would bring to the downtown area. They'll see tomorrow, though I probably will not hear about it for a while since I will be traveling.

[Bones]

Well, I'm off to speak in support of the Krusemans tonight. A couple of weeks ago the council voted 3 to 2 with 2 abstentions to deny their permit. Fortunately, the mayor pointed out that in order to officially deny, there had to be at least 4 no votes. So there is another hearing tonight, and I am going to comment on the diversity of Dave's clientele, the misconceptions of tattooed individuals, and on his professionalism.

Wish me luck.

[JD LaRish]

did i read that right that 3 voted to deny?
good luck indeed.

[Bones]

That's right. Those three will probably not be swayed. Kim K. spoke with the two who abstained and thinks they may vote in favor of the studio, which would make it 4-3 in favor of the studio.

[Jason Rittie]

I will be very interested to see what happens. I spoke with Kim and hopefully gave her some meaningful legal points. It is a shame that this type of bias and negative treatment against tattoo artists and shops is still occuring in this country. I will continue to advocate and fight for equal treatment under the law for tattoo artists and shops. GOOD LUCK!

[Bones]

Thanks! Kim mentioned that she spoke with you and that you were very helpful.