MORTON – Jason and Amanda Parker needed to open a tattoo parlor of their hometown.
The Morton residents picked what they thought was the right spot, an empty lower-level house downtown at 142 S. Important St. that after was the house of Miller Bakery, an iconic village enterprise.
They picked the title American Conventional Tattoo for his or her parlor. American conventional is a method of tattoo.
“We felt the title represented our enterprise and Morton nicely,” Amanda Parker mentioned.
As a result of a change within the village’s zoning ordinance was wanted for the Parkers to maneuver into the downtown house, they spoke at a Village Board assembly earlier than distributing details about their enterprise plans and contacted every trustee individually.
They later bought the blessing of the Plan Fee within the type of a unanimous vote – following a quick dialogue – to advocate {that a} tattoo parlor be allowed within the village’s B-2 enterprise district.
The Parkers already had the assist of Anita Roth, proprietor of the South Important Road constructing. Roth beforehand rented the decrease degree to Morton Pottery for 17 years, Lulu’s on Important for six years and, most just lately, to Crowne Realty for 2 years.
However the Village Board voted 4-2 on Nov. 2 in opposition to altering the zoning ordinance. Trustees Clinton Leman and Nate Parrott solid the lone sure votes.
Trustee Rod Blunier famous {that a} tattoo parlor is allowed within the village’s B-3 enterprise district – a shopping mall, for instance – so the Parkers had different choices.
Trustee Steve Leitch mentioned he had issues about permitting tattoo parlors within the village’s B-2 enterprise district, however he didn’t communicate negatively in regards to the Parkers’ proposal.
Brad Menold and Ken Newman have been the opposite trustees who voted in opposition to the zoning ordinance change. They didn’t state their causes on the Village Board assembly, nor have they responded to a request for touch upon the problem.
Amanda Parker mentioned Leman and Parrott have been the lone trustees who reached out to her husband and herself with questions and issues about their proposed tattoo parlor earlier than the vote was taken.
“The board’s resolution made us unhappy, and the way in which the bulk went about it was hurtful,” Amanda Parker mentioned. “We really feel we went above and past with sharing and providing to reply questions.
“There are long-term results of dissuading small companies or making it subsequent to not possible for some potential small companies from doing enterprise in our neighborhood. This resolution not solely impacts us, it impacts the long-term sustainability and financial vitality of our neighborhood.”
Jason Parker has been a tattoo artist for 14 years. He is labored at Freedom Ink Tattoos in Peoria for 4 years.
A lot of his shoppers come from out of city, some from out of state. Amanda Parker helps these shoppers discover a place to remain and eat whereas they’re within the space, producing income for different companies.
The Parkers say they are not giving up on Morton. They’re investigating different choices for his or her tattoo parlor within the village and reaching out as soon as once more to the trustees who voted in opposition to the zoning change.
“We do not quit simply,” Amanda Parker mentioned. “Cliche as it could be, we imagine something price having does not come simply. We’re hoping the board will divulge heart’s contents to the thought (of a tattoo parlor) and we are able to clear up no matter is holding them again. Nevertheless, if it is only a matter of opinion, which may be somewhat more durable to vary.”
Leman was visibly offended and pissed off after the zoning ordinance change vote, saying it may dissuade different companies from finding in Morton and criticizing different trustees for not doing their homework on the Parkers’ plans.
“I apologize to the Parkers,” Leman mentioned. “They’ve been open and clear. I had some worries about what they have been planning, however they answered all my questions and made me comfy. It was going to be an aesthetic enterprise.”
Leman has since apologized to different trustees, Mayor Jeff Kaufman and “anybody else I could have offended by my feedback and tone on the assembly.”
Kaufman reduce off Leman as Leman was directing feedback at Leitch about not being business-friendly, saying that needs to be executed privately.
“Being a born-again Christian, I am referred to as to at all times present love, and my feedback ought to have been mentioned with kindness,” Leman mentioned.
“I am extraordinarily passionate in regards to the success of companies in our neighborhood and wish to create an atmosphere the place companies develop, and new companies and entrepreneurs, like Jason and Amanda Parker, are interested in Morton.
“The Parkers have been keen to tackle the monetary dangers and unknowns of beginning a enterprise in our village throughout a world pandemic, which is admirable and intensely courageous.”
Amanda Parker mentioned she and her husband aren’t about to let the pandemic sprint their goals.
“All of us have issues in regards to the pandemic,” she mentioned. “Nevertheless, with applicable precautions, we really feel we are able to serve our clients safely and responsibly. Now shouldn’t be the time to let concern drive our selections. I might advocate the identical to the Village Board.”
Steve Stein might be reached at (248) 224-2616 or [email protected] Comply with him on Twitter @SpartanSteve.
