Milton council rejects zoning change to allow tattoo shops downtown on first reading

Milton’s City Council voted 4–3 on Sept. 8 to deny on first reading ordinance 13-26, which would have amended the unified development code to allow "body modification establishments" (tattoo and piercing studios) in the Downtown Commercial Mixed zoning district by special exception. Councilwoman Marilyn Ferro moved to deny the ordinance; Councilman McKee seconded the motion and the denial passed 4–3 after extended public comment and council debate.

The hearing drew a full chamber and more than a dozen public speakers. Supporters, including the applicant Aaron Riley, told the council tattooing is an art and a business that can draw foot traffic and customers to downtown. "This isn't about changing everything. This is about the recognition that art is freedom of expression," Riley said during public comment. Opponents, including multiple downtown property owners and long-time residents, urged the council not to modify the city’s development code piecemeal and recommended a comprehensive UDC review first.

Staff said the change would not create a fiscal cost to the city and would leave final determinations to the Board of Adjustments through the special-exception process, which requires public notice and case-by-case review. Planning staff also summarized outreach steps they took, including extra mailers and business surveys; several speakers and council members questioned whether notice to adjacent property owners had been sufficient. "It's never supposed to be about the person. It's supposed to be about the use," Mayor Heather Lindsay said, acknowledging both sympathy for the applicant and concerns raised by residents about process and predictability.

Council members split along process and policy lines. Supporters argued allowing a special-exception pathway could help revitalize Willing Street and other downtown blocks; critics said a patchwork change risks precedent-setting and that the UDC should be reviewed comprehensively. The motion to deny the ordinance prevailed; because the first reading failed, the item will not appear automatically on the next agenda. The mayor and staff noted residents may bring proposals to the planning board or request a formal UDC review if they want a more comprehensive change.