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Home My WebLink About07/26/96Honorable Mayor and Members of the July 18, 1996 Regular Meeting of Hermosa Beach City Council July 26, 1996 SUBJECT: REQUEST TO INITIATE A TEXT AMENDMENT TO ADD TATTOOING AS A PERMITTED USE" Background Attached is a letter from s. Kari Barba req esting that the City again consider allowing Tattooing as a permitted - in Hermosa : - ach. She is interested in a downtown location which would mean adding it as a permitted use in both the C-2 and C-3 zones. Currently the Zoning Ordinance permitted use list does not include tattooing or any similar type of business in any commercial zone. A similar request was made in 1994, by a different tattoo business operator. On April 25, 1995, the City Council voted 3:2 to not add tattooing as a permitted use. This was after several public hearings at both the Planning Commission and City Council and final consideration of an ordinance drafted by staff to conditionally permit tattooing in the C-3 zone, and to add health and safety provisions to the Municipal Code. Recommendation To direct staff whether or not to again initiate the process to add tattooing as a permitted use. CONCUR %1 ice' , Stephen City Manager KR/cc/ccsrttoo Sol Blumenfeld Community D velopment Director Kari Barba 3024 West Ball Rd. Suite I Anaheim, CA 92804 (714) 761-8288 Honorable Council Members My name is Kari Barba, and I have been a tattoo artist for over 16 years. I am the owner of Outer Limits Tattoo in Anaheim (formerly Twilight Fantasy Tattoo) and have been at the same location for over 13 years. I have previously owned and operated two other studios: one in Hollywood and the other in Riverside. I am registered as the only Expert Witness for tattooing in Los Angeles County and am frequently called to judge competitions at conventions worldwide. I am a member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists and the National Tattoo Association, and have been a board member of the former. I have won over 70 awards for excellence in various tattoo competitions including Tattooist of the Year (three times) and Best Overseas Tattooist at the convention in Dunstable, England. My purpose for this letter is to convince you that by bringing tattooing into your city, Hermosa Beach would benefit economically, and another form of art would integrate itself into your community. Historically, tattoos and the art of tattooing have been attributed with images of sailors, bikers, rebels and vagabonds. The tattoo artist was supposed to be a large, heavy man with a rusty needle, and the conditions much less than perfect. These conceptions are no longer accurate when compared to todays tattoo studio. My clientele range in a wide variety of professions, age and social status. Professional tattoo art has proven to become a middle to upper class art form due to the costs of tattoos. The average costs range from $100 to $150 an hour, thus minimizing the attraction of the undesirables. One of the biggest complaints seems to be the fact that tattooing is a service business, and the city would not profit from taxable merchandise. In my personal experience, this simply is not true. First, on the surface level, the city would benefit from various retail goods such as clothing and jewelry which my studio will be selling. On a secondary level, my clientele travel from all over the world to receive my services. While in town, they will be boosting the economy with their stays in hotels, eating in restaurants and amusing themselves at various shops and attractions in town. And although some will argue that a one night stay will not help marginally, many of my clients need to remain in town for extensive work which often prolongs their stay for many days. Another large concern is the subject of health and cleanliness. As with other businesses, tattoo studios have to adhere to a strict set of regulations. I follow universal precautions in my shop, such as assuring that the workplace and instruments are sterile, and guaranteeing the professionalism of my staff. I have been following these guidelines since 1983. The Health Regulations from the City of Anaheim (included) are rigidly followed in my studio and appear comparable to the regulations of Hermosa Beach. Along with these regulations, I set high personal moral standards which further the safe environment for my clients. As far as health risks, which are minimal, there have been no known cases of HIV/AIDS transmitted through tattooing. The risk of overpopulation is another problem which I am well acquainted with. I suggest that a non-refundable fee of $2500 (or more) be introduced in order to apply for a hearing for a Conditional Use Permit. This way, no money would be lost by the city. This would be followed by a police and fire check on all C.U.P. applicants. Within the city itself, tattoo studios should maintain a minimum 1000 ft distance (if not more), from all other tattoo studios. I believe that these precursors along with a thorough check of past references, would eliminate any non- professional studios from applying, and overcrowding would be kept at arm's distance. The tattoo industry of today (in most cases) is not the industry of yesterday. Vast improvements in safety, health and professionalism have been implemented. Even the type of perceived clientele has changed so drastically that they are virtually unrecognizable. This original art form is enjoyed and appreciated by hundreds and thousands of people, people who would greatly enjoy the sights of Hermosa Beach and its own unique culture.. In closing, I hope thatyou will take some of these points into consideration and allow me to introduce the art of tattooing into Hermosa Beach. I hope that each of you find the material I have enclosed to be somewhat insightful and helpful in the decisions that you make. And if you do have the time, I welcome each of you to visit my studio in Anaheim. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely, Kari Barba 08/05/1996 17:12 3103728631 Zadieu.1 ALFREDSALIDODESIGNS PAGE 01 RECEIVED AUG 6 1996 CITY MGR. OFFICE 6-L tie4ta. ye /F- z,; cL yaJ ;.‹ e/e.exez 684,,k SUPPLEMENTAL MORMATIOU I, ' 08/06/1996 09:06 3103728631 ALFREDSALIDODESIGNS PAGE 01 RECEIVED AUG .6 1996 CITY MGR. OFFICE „ei L_$e 6 c/ a-ees SUPPLEMENTAL RORMATIOU 1 f , 08/05/1996 13:24 3103728631 August 5, 1996 Mayor Julie Oakes City of Hermosa Beach Dear Mayor Oakes, ALFREDSALIDODESIGNS PAGE 01 RECEIVED AUG 5 1996 CITY MGR. OFFICE This letter is in regards to the possibility of allowing a tatoo parlor in the City of Hermosa Beach. I do not know how strongly I can state my opposition to this H I have owned property in Hermosa Beach since 1972 and have seen the consistent advance of our city. To allow tatoo parlors in this city now would negate all the progress that has been made. I am riot happy about the number of bars that have already been allowed, but, please do not compound this with a tatoo parlor. The next thing we will see is the request for massage parlors. What this city needs is upscale retail. You will never get it by allowing tatoo parlors. So, please vote against this and know that you have -the support of many residents whom I have spoken with but for whatovor roti dont; pari to nr 1 i . Please vote NO to tatoo parlors and any business that is not to keeping with a family oriented city. Thank you for reading this, Sincerely, \a Alfred W. Salido 40 4th Street Hermosa Beach 372-8631 \q) 110 TA -1-6 I 1. SUPPLEMENTAL. 17 ATORMATION