Daytona Beach, FL - The Daytona Beach City Commission (DBCC) voted Wednesday night to prevent the rezoning of a building on Beach Street to allow for a tattoo shop.
If approved, Red Sparrow Studios would have been located on the second floor at 246 S. Beach Street. Earlier reporting on this story can be found here.
During the City Commission meeting, the owner of the proposed shop, James Rogers, defended his proposed shop before the Commission. Rogers said that if the shop were to open, there would be three to four people in the space at a time and that he would be the only tattoo artist. He said that there is room for another two tattoo artists to work there and that only one or two people would be tattooed per day.
Rogers explained that his shop would not be run only by appointments but that he would welcome walk-ins if his schedule would allow for it. Rogers said to Commissioner Aaron Delgato that the tattoos would usually require a consultation first and that they would be mostly custom designs. If the tattoo shop was approved, Rogers also said he would put plants on the balcony and create art in the alley for beautification of the property.
Several members of the public also voiced their opinions on the proposed tattoo shop before the vote. There was a concern from a resident who lives near the proposed shop that the property value of his business and residence would go down if the tattoo shop was allowed and that the noise from the business would be a concern. Other residents gave their support for the business, saying that it would attract people with disposable income to use at other businesses on Beach Street.
Many Commissioners also made statements on the proposed tattoo shop. Commissioner Ruth Trager said that there were many other spaces in Daytona Beach to put a tattoo shop without having to change city code. "I'm wondering if a tattoo parlor would have a positive or negative effect on Beach Street and I really don't feel that there is enough of a compelling reason to approve it since you have many places in this city you can go with no problem whatsoever," said Trager.
Commissioner Robert Gilliland said he believes a tattoo shop belongs in a place where there are already adult-oriented businesses. "To me, an adult-oriented business makes more sense in an area like Main Street than a corridor like Beach Street," said Gilliland. He said that "economic Darwinism" caused previous adult-oriented businesses to close on Beach Street.
Commissioner Aaron Delgato said he believes the tattoo shop would bring other economic activity to Beach Street. He said that people accompanying those getting tattoos would window shop and eat at the restaurants on Beach Street. Mayor Derrick Henry said that the most important thing about the vote was that it was not about whether or not tattoos are socially acceptable, but rather if the zone change was appropriate.
The rezoning ordinance failed with a 2-5 vote. Commissioner Dannette Henry and Commissioner Delgato voted in favor of the tattoo shop while Mayor Henry, Commissioner Paula Reed, Commissioner Trager, Commissioner Kelley White, and Commissioner Gilliland voted no.
The DBCC also unanimously voted to approve a zoning change for a property near the Volusia Mall to accommodate shops and restaurants. The existing Sears Auto Center is expected to be demolished to make way for the new development. More on this story can be found here.
Photo courtesy of Eivaisla and Shutterstock.com.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
