Council to hear first reading of tattoo zoning change

The Covington City Council in Georgia is scheduled to hold the first reading of an ordinance amendment that would add tattoo and body piercing parlors/studios to the list of allowed uses in the Town Center Mixed-Use (TCM) zoning district. Currently, these uses are permitted by right in the Corridor Mixed-Use and Light Industrial districts, but not in the TCM district which includes the city's historic downtown square. The council previously voted to initiate the text amendment process to allow the uses in TCM, subject to approval of a Special Use Permit. The first reading of the proposed zoning change is on the agenda for the council's March 16th meeting. The amendment would provide more flexibility for these types of businesses to operate in the city's downtown area, though they would still require special approval. The discussion comes as local governments across the country grapple with balancing commercial uses, community character, and economic development in their central business districts.