Covington Ink, a body art studio located at 424 N. Columbia St. in downtown Covington, may relocate to 420 N. Vermont St.

The Covington Zoning Commission voted 5-1 to approve the move Monday night. The vote will allow conditional use zoning of the house, already zoned C-1, to allow for the tattoo studio unless appealed to the Covington City Council within the next 10 days. If an appeal is not filed, the conditional use will go into effect in 10 days.

Jerry Braswell, owner of the property, said the property does have some history. It was the sight of the murder of Ilene Lyons in July, the first murder in the city in four years. Braswell said Dean and Karie Fitzmorris, owners of Covington Ink, run a reputable business that is truly art, not just tattoo.

The future location of Covington Ink on North Vermont Street is next door to LeBlanc Law Firm. A conditional use permit was granted by the Covington Zoning Commission Monday night. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

In addition to being regulated by the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Karie Fitzmorris said they do not accept walk-in business. Instead, they require an appointment and then a waiting period for the client to “go home and think about it” before getting permanent art. She said they will also not perform the procedure on anyone inebriated.

Fitzmorris said they plan to live above the studio and will not change the way they have operated their business in the past five years. They have not had any complaints filed or any police calls made about them in this time. In fact, she said they cater to a very reputable clientele.

“This is not a business that tattoos drunken sailors,” Fitzmorris said.

Many area residents on North Vermont Street commented on the business, including Mercedes Ogden, who lives across the street. She said she was still suffering from the murder incident and was the one who called Braswell to check on the house, resulting in the murder discovery. Ogden gave a petition to the commission signed by neighbors and said they do not want the business in their neighborhood because of the negative effect they believe it will have in the area.

Ed LeBlanc of LeBlanc Law Firm, next door to the property on North Vermont Street, sent a letter to the commission that was read into the hearing, stating he is not in favor of the negative influence the business world bring into the neighborhood.

The LeBlanc firm is located next door to the property, and Delgado Community College is around the corner. The property is also around the corner from Marsolan’s Feed Store.

Several of the businesses’ clients were also on hand to speak on behalf of the business, including Bill Gilmore. He confirmed the owners’ statement that an appointment is required in advance with a return appointment to have the tattoo performed. He also said the office is clean, well run and more like a doctor’s office than what people think of as a tattoo parlor.

“It is definitely a high class operation with normal, everyday people as clientele,” Gilmore said.

Covington Mayor Candace Watkins also spoke on behalf of the Fitzmorrises, saying opponents are reacting out of fear.

“They run a very exclusive service business with no incidences or problems in the last five years. They do not take business “off the street,” but require an appointment. They also do restorative medical tattoo procedures as well,” said Watkins.

Commissioner Kirk Michel asked city planner Naketah Bagby how long the property has been zoned C-1, to which Bagby replied, “1970, in the initial zoning ordinance.”

A clarification of hours of operation was called by Commissioner Teddy Boone. Fitzmorris said the last customer of the day would be out no later than 7 p.m., and hours of operation would be 12:30 until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The commission originally made a motion to deny the application, but that failed, 4-2. The motion to grant the conditional use then passed.

In other matters, the Zoning Commission denied a request for a zoning change from A-3 one- and two- single family residential district and A-6 transitional district to C-5 office professional district the property at 149 N. New Hampshire St.

A request for zoning changes to property located on a triangular plot of land bordered by North Tyler Street, West 32nd Avenue and North Columbia Street was tabled in order for the applicants, Poncho and the Evil Spells LLC, to provide a more detailed comprehensive plan for use of the property in all phases of development.

Three Rivers Presbyterian Church, LLC, was granted its request for a zoning change of the property located at 204 W. 23rd Ave. from A-2 single family residential to ID-1 institutional district (churches). The building had been in use as a dance studio with a house behind it, but originally was a church. Inadequate parking for the facility was overcome by receiving, in writing, permission to use the parking area in the C. J. Schoen Administrative Complex by the St. Tammany Parish School Board. Times parking would be needed are Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The request was granted by a 5-1 vote.

The Zoning Commission also held election of officers for the coming year, resulting in unanimous re-election of Keith Duet as chairman and Teddy Boone as vice chairman.