West Dundee could update code to allow tattoo shop in corporate park
A West Dundee advisory committee has recommended allowing a private tattoo studio to operate within a commercial development in the Oakview Corporate Park.
Entrepreneur Chad Meado of Pingree Grove proposed opening his appointment-only shop, Art By Meado, on the second floor of a multi-tenant building at 4600 W. Main St. The 1,200-square-foot space includes separate work areas for up to two licensed tattoo artists to service local clientele, he said.
"The overall goal is to change the stereotypical (way) people see tattoo shops," Meado said. "I just want to have a place to do my artwork and be in a high-quality, clean environment."
Under the village's zoning ordinance, however, tattoo parlors are only allowed as a special use within a business service district, such as along the Route 31 corridor, Community Development Director Tim Scott said. They're also permitted in light industrial districts, but the village does not have any property with that zoning classification.
The corporate park on the west side of town is zoned as a special development district, with commercial space along the frontage of Route 72 and industrial uses throughout the remainder of the campus. The planning and zoning commission this week approved including tattoo parlors as a special use in that zoning classification and granting Meado permission to open his studio.
Meado's request now will go to the village board. If trustees approve updating the zoning ordinance and amending an existing annexation agreement, other tattooing operations could be brought forward for consideration within the corporate park.
Future proposals still would require a public hearing and would be "evaluated on their own merits on a case-by-case basis," Scott said in a memo.
The village is "well protected" by that process, planning and zoning Commissioner Rick Gilmore said. "I don't see this as a negative addition."
Art By Meado plans to operate in the same building as several other service and retail businesses, including a sandwich shop, a fitness facility, a landscape and carpentry business, a barber shop and a salon.
Meado says his business will focus solely on tattooing and will not do piercings. With no walk-in availability, he plans to market his services largely on social media.
West Dundee's code prohibits anyone younger than 21 from getting a tattoo, despite the state's legal age of 18. Meado estimates 30% of his customers would fall into the 18- to-21-year-old range and says that demographic is crucial for building a strong customer base.
To change the local tattoo age limit, Meado would have to petition the village and go through a separate public hearing and approval process, planning and zoning commissioners said.