Monday, July 18, 2011

Tattoo parlor's move to First Street gets approval ? The Benicia ...

? Planning Commission gives nod to relocation

By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

In a unanimous vote Thursday, Benicia Planning Commission approved a use permit to allow a tattoo and body art studio to open at 814 First St. as part of an art gallery.

Owner Landon Mau, whose studio Creations and Illustrations is currently located at 949 Grant St., said he would be picking up the keys to the new storefront Friday and that he expected the new location to open next month.

Tattoo parlors are permitted as an ancillary use along First Street, so long as they don?t take up more than half the floor space in the business, said Charlie Knox, director of Public Works and Community Development.

Mau?s business would occupy 400 square feet of a multi-tenant building, of which 220 square feet is planned for a gallery primarily for Mau?s art, 60 square feet is planned for his office, and 120 square feet would be dedicated to the tattoo body art studio that would have up to two stations, said Doug Vu, associate planner, who had recommended the commission approve the request.

Because children younger than 18 can?t get tattoos without permission from parents or guardians, Mau has limited his clientele to those 18 and older, Vu said. ?This is voluntary,? Vu told the commission.

Mau would be required to comply with local and state regulations that govern tattooing and body piercing, the commission confirmed in its decision.

Mau?s studio has been open about 10 months. Prior to that, he worked in other studios in Vallejo.

A graduate of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, Mau has painted murals, designed logos and airbrushed T-shirts.

He expects his gallery to become a place other artists will be able to exhibit once a month, too, ?to get friendships going and to thrive off each others? art,? he said.

?I?m looking forward to relocating, and getting more involved with the community.?

Also Thursday, the commission conducted a public hearing on a sign permit or variance for a metal object that can be seen through the window of a storefront at 724 First St., used by The Rellik Tavern, 726 First St., as a storeroom.

The commission received no staff report on the topic, and a decision was continued to an unspecified date.

?We?re still pondering the (Benicia Municipal) Code,? Knox said.

Commissioner Rick Ernst reflected the consensus of the panel expressed during earlier discussions of the metal artwork and whether an object not placed in a window can be defined as a window sign. ?I feel our sign ordinance is lacking,? he said. ?It?s enforced by complaint. That?s not an effective way to enforce an ordinance.?

He asked for a sign ordinance that would give residents and local business people clear rules to follow.

Kat Wellman, Benicia?s contract attorney, told the panel most cities? sign ordinances need overhauling, but that such work is ?a major project that takes major resources.?

Other than Ernst?s statements, no comments from the public or the commission were made Thursday. Knox said the city received one email that supported The Rellik Tavern?s owners, Delando Pegan and Tom Hamilton, who want to keep the metal object in place. But that email was not distributed to the public.

Source: http://beniciaherald.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/tattoo-parlor%E2%80%99s-move-to-first-street-gets-approval/

secretariat fandango anderson silva carpe diem justin timberlake matilda fox sports

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.