Menifee Agrees to Tattoo Parlors, Somewhat
The city council last night voted unanimously to permit tattoo parlors within the City of Menifee. But don't anyone expect a tattoo par...
http://www.menifee247.com/2010/12/menifee-agrees-to-tattoo-parlors.html
The city council last night voted unanimously to permit tattoo parlors within the City of Menifee. But don't anyone expect a tattoo parlor anytime soon.
The city's existing ban on tattoo parlors was scheduled to expire at the end February 2011. But instead of renewing the ban, the city took into consideration a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals case where the City of Hermosa Beach was challenged for its ban on tattoo parlors.
In that case, the plaintiff Johnny Anderson sued Hermosa Beach on grounds that tattoos are a form a free speech. Anderson had sought to open up his own tattoo parlor. In an effort to avoid a similar lawsuit, the Menifee city council chose to adopt a new law that permits tattoo parlors, but imposes such strict requirements that would severely limit the number of tattoo establishments in the city.
"Based on the requirements, we've identified two places within the city where a tattoo parlor could fit in." said Carmen Cave, the city's Community Development Director. "One area is by the hospital, the other area is by Newport and Bradley".
In the case of the area by Newport & Bradley, much of the area zoned for a tattoo parlor (shaded in orange) is already occupied by other businesses, and would be difficult for a tattoo parlor to come in. And one space, right on the corner of Newport & Bradley, is already spoken for by CVS Pharmacy.
Only the area by the hospital could a tattoo parlor exist, and that tattoo parlor would have to buy the land and construct a building, which is unlikely for any prospective tattoo parlor to do, unless some other developer decides to build something there.
The new law that the City of Menifee was to adopt would have limited operating hours from 7:00am to 7:00pm, making it difficult for any tattoo parlor to succeed because many customers can't get there until after work, and then only have an hour or two to get any ink. But after hearing testimony from Grant Yoders, a Sun City resident, who spoke in favor of tattoo parlors, and who recommended the hours be extended, the council chose to increase the closing hours to 9:00pm.
The city's existing ban on tattoo parlors was scheduled to expire at the end February 2011. But instead of renewing the ban, the city took into consideration a recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals case where the City of Hermosa Beach was challenged for its ban on tattoo parlors.
In that case, the plaintiff Johnny Anderson sued Hermosa Beach on grounds that tattoos are a form a free speech. Anderson had sought to open up his own tattoo parlor. In an effort to avoid a similar lawsuit, the Menifee city council chose to adopt a new law that permits tattoo parlors, but imposes such strict requirements that would severely limit the number of tattoo establishments in the city.
"Based on the requirements, we've identified two places within the city where a tattoo parlor could fit in." said Carmen Cave, the city's Community Development Director. "One area is by the hospital, the other area is by Newport and Bradley".
In the case of the area by Newport & Bradley, much of the area zoned for a tattoo parlor (shaded in orange) is already occupied by other businesses, and would be difficult for a tattoo parlor to come in. And one space, right on the corner of Newport & Bradley, is already spoken for by CVS Pharmacy.
Only the area by the hospital could a tattoo parlor exist, and that tattoo parlor would have to buy the land and construct a building, which is unlikely for any prospective tattoo parlor to do, unless some other developer decides to build something there.
The new law that the City of Menifee was to adopt would have limited operating hours from 7:00am to 7:00pm, making it difficult for any tattoo parlor to succeed because many customers can't get there until after work, and then only have an hour or two to get any ink. But after hearing testimony from Grant Yoders, a Sun City resident, who spoke in favor of tattoo parlors, and who recommended the hours be extended, the council chose to increase the closing hours to 9:00pm.
Lets take the whole tattoo issue out of this article and replace it with cheeseburgers or french fries; hair coloring or acupuncture and see if you don't feel a twinge of OUTRAGE. I do. Not because I like tattoos...I don't, but because a city council; a planning commission; [a by the people governing body] has the gall to think that they need to regulate a legitimate business model to the point of extinction.
ReplyDeleteHow do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Good luck with that liberty thing.
Stupid... Wonder if Menifee is aware that there are about 3 "business licensed tattoo shops" operating out of people unsanitary garages and spare rooms for non taxed, personal profit. Thanks Menifee for supporting that! Your only taking money out of your pockets. If Menifee would allow the operation of a legal business, with honest operating hours and proper location for clientele you wouldn't have the problem. My husband and I have to travel to Hemet daily just to work at the tattoo shop out there although we live in Menifee. Both of us experienced, fully licensed artists and although we pay our taxes and I've personally been a resident for 20 years, we as professionals aren't allowed the proper means to work in our home town. It's sincerely unfair and dishonest to place such harsh restrictions when the operation of the adult movie & toy story in Sun City doesn't have to abide but the same harsh rules, favoritism possibly? I think so!
ReplyDeleteI too agree this is ridiculous for the city to impose such sanctions on a legitimate business. Like Kristen alludes, this would be a potentially healthy revenue stream for the city.
ReplyDeleteI personally would like to better understand the reasoning behind the sanctions on these parlors.
Truly, let's call it what it is. Many years ago, tattoo parlors carried with them a stigma of being unsanitary businesses that promoted an "unhealthy" lifestyle and attracted an unsavory clientele. Bikers, felons, gang members, some members of rock bands, and sailors were the only people sporting tattoos in those days. But now, it seems those days are long gone.
ReplyDeleteMany people from their teens through thier 40's sport tattoos, and tattoos are not inexpensive. A great deal of money is spent by businessmen, executives, homemakers, professionals, firemen, policemen, and yes, even politicians, on tattoos. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there.
We have come a long way from the seedy element that was once associated with these businesses. Bias has no place in this type of decision process. If this is a religious belief, or a misconception, this issue needs to be addressed and re-evaluated.
I keep hearing about wanting further development within the city but we are making it difficult for someone to open a business. If your looking out for the best interest of the citizens lets focus this energy on securing a responsible business owner/artist that would have a clean shop mandated by the county health department rather than out of someone's garage, who knows it could generate a few tax dollar. You could have better served our little town by holding back on the giant (empty) furniture store and maybe putting in a movie theater that would have provided entertainment and a few jobs for our kids. But we'd rather spend more money putting back up some signs saying Sun City because a few of our older residents ordered to many address labels that say Sun City.
ReplyDelete