[UC] Zoning Variance for Tattoo Parlor

[Bronswolfe]

The storefront at 603 S. 47th Street has a zoning variance notice posted in the window applying for use as a Tattoo Parlor.  Itâs listed as Calendar # 04-0404, Hearing date Tuesday, July 13, 2004, 9:30am, room 18002, 18th floor, 1515 Arch Street.   The property is passed daily during the school year by hundreds of school children on their way to deSales and to the Lea School. The immediate neighborhood is already kept awake late at night from noise from 3 bars, a record shop/barber shop that stays open til after midnight and another barber shop thatâs open as late as 11pm. Complaints have been made by neighbors who get propositioned by prostitutes while walking down the street. Other neighbors have witnessed drug deals occurring between people coming in and out of some of these businesses.   47th and Baltimore has taken on a trashy late night aspect, which runs counter to its residents needs. This proposed variance would not be to the benefit of the neighbors, but would serve to bring additional late night disruptions to the community.   About 5 years ago, a Tattoo Parlor operated out of this storefront without proper zoning. The owner would go skateboarding up and down 47th St.   nightly between 1am and 2am, while waiting for customers to arrive. While customers were getting their tats, their friends would wait out in their cars with their radios blaring. Fortunately for us, the store was shut down after several months of erratic hours.   The building, the Montrose, has been a constant source of aggravation to the community. Their dumpster constantly overflows onto the sidewalk. The fire escape is usually blocked by bags of trash. Kids play unattended on the fire escape, tossing stuff at passersby.   We feel strongly that a Tattoo Parlor will not be a positive addition to Cedar Park.   I sincerely appreciate your help in opposing this variance.   Fred Wolfe