The business Mosthigh Tattoos & Body Piercings, currently located at 2124 E. Winona Avenue, is requesting a use variance to relocate to 123 S. Buffalo St., pictured. (Photo via Google Maps)

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A tattoo parlor was approved to relocate to a C-4 District during the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held Monday night, June 28.

The business, Mosthigh Tattoos & Body Piercings, currently operates at 2124 E. Winona Avenue and sought a use variance to relocate to 123 S. Buffalo St., in downtown Warsaw.

Assistant City Planner Jacob Ihrie pointed out that the business would be occupying a storefront that has been vacant for approximately two years.

“It is the opinion of the planning department that this case should be viewed favorably due to the lack of potential for detrimental impacts on surrounding properties,” said Ihrie. “During a time when we are experiencing a nationwide increase in storefront vacancies, attracting and promoting sustainable businesses in downtown is important enough to consider a variance such as this. For these reasons, it is the opinion of the planning department that this variance could be ruled favorably when measured by the criteria delineated within the findings of fact.”

No one was present to represent or oppose the request.

The board voted to approve the request.

The change in location would represent the second tattoo shop to move into downtown Warsaw in less than two years.

The board also heard a use-variance request to allow a parking lot in an R-2 district, across three lots located at the corner of Park Ave. and Webber St. The parking lot would serve the church located at 614 Old Father St.

Kimberly Clark, with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, represented the request. This request would ensure that there would be a parking area provided if the church were to sell in the future. The property, with the proposed parking area, is currently ready to sell.

Several neighbors showed up to oppose the request. One neighbor was worried that the church could later turn into a different business or the parking lot could become a place for people to abandon vehicles. Another neighbor was concerned about water drainage related to paving the parking lot.

Boardmember Tammy Dalton made a motion to deny the request, which was approved.