Too Much Tattoo? Hayward's Tattoo Parlor Wars

The Hayward City Council will take up the Tattoo Parlor issue at this Tuesday's
(1/10/06) Council meeting. The applicant is seeking a conditional use permit to open the city's sixth tattoo store, on Foothill Boulevard between A and B Streets. (This would be the City's third downtown tattoo establishment, after Russell City Tattoo at Mission & B Streets; and Pinpoint Tattoo on Second Street between A and B.)

One condition of the conditional use permit would be for the tattoo parlor to minimize loitering. The loitering issue appears to be the chief criticism for this type of business.

Two letters in opposition are included in the council's packet: one from a neighboring psychologist/business who writes "The approval of a tatoo [sic] establishment would make this neighborhood unbearable for businsesses that are trying to make Hayward a better city for all." Another letter is from a local residential landlord: "I ask that City Staff deny the request as this use is not in keeping with trying to develop a positive and vibrant downtown. In addition, Hayward already hosts several tattoo & piercing studios as well as medial [sic] marijuana clinics that in my opinion are counter-productive to the efforts made to attract retail-oriented businesses to our downtown core."

These other businesses sound a bit elitist, if you ask me.

The Planning Commission denied the conditional use permit, suggesting that "downtown Hayward needs more diversity."

And in support of the the Council approving the conditional use permit is the prospective landlord, who writes: "My reasons for supporting [the applicant] are two-fold. First, I believe that tattoos and piercing has become very mainstream in the under 30 age crowd. While I had been worried about 'attracting the wrong crowd,' I don't view things the same way now because tattoos and piercing are so prevalent in college age kids, as well as people younger and older. Second, I see [the applicant] as highly responsible and dedicated to creating a first class facility. We are planning to submit facade improvements for the building later this year. As a landlord I am committed to improving with the area. I think [the applicant] is sincere in wanting to be a positive business in downtown and I am optimistic he will do so."

In my opinion, the City of Hayward should be welcoming new businesses to locate downtown. Can downtown support three tattoo parlors? I don't know. The applicant is willing and able to test the market, so let them come. This "business against business" attitude is not healthy, and smacks of elitism.

In terms of attracting downtown retailers / businesses, the City of Hayward should remember that "beggars can't be choosers." The vacancy rates in downtown along B Street are staggering, and the City needs to open up to get more "diversity" in downtown Hayward....