By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Councilors went from easing zoning restrictions on tattoo parlors Tuesday night to tightening them.

At their regular meeting, city councilors reversed a Planning Board decision that would have allowed the parlors as a permitted use in nine city zoning districts.

“That would allow tattoo parlors anywhere you see a beauty salon,” said City Administrator Jim Bennett. He recommended councilors define tattoo parlors as an adult business. That would restrict them to one district, with a special city approval.

Councilors agreed.

“We’ve been trying to make things happen in the city, and I think this would go backwards,” said Councilor Mark Paradis. “I’m not saying anything bad about tattoo parlors. I just don’t think it would be a plus for the city to have them allowed in nine or 10 districts. It runs counter to everything we’ve been trying to achieve.”

According to the new definition, new tattoo parlors and adult bookstores would no longer automatically be allowed anywhere in the city. They’d be allowed only as a conditional use in the city’s Community Business district, with special approval from the city Planning Board. That district is east of Main Street, around Mollison Way.

Councilors will take the issue up again at their next meeting, on Feb. 15.

Current zoning lists definitions for eating and drinking establishments, adult businesses and adult amusements. The adult business definition currently includes bars and taverns, tattoo parlors and any place that sells to or services adults, those 18 years old or older. They are allowed in five zoning districts, including downtown along Lisbon Street.

The new definition removes taverns and bars, and gives them their own category – drinking establishments. They would be allowed downtown and along most major corridors.

The city would do away with the adult amusement category as well, and include those places – which offer live or video-on-demand adult or XXX entertainment – in the adult business category.

Planning Board member John Butler defended the change, saying tattoo parlors are classified as personal services in the U.S. Census and industrial classifications.

“But it’s not an issue with classification,” Bennett said. “It’s matter of where they can go in our community. I don’t think most people want them expanding into their neighborhoods.”

Only Councilor Stavros Mendros dissented.

“I see a big difference between a place that sells porn and a tattoo parlor,” Mendros said. He doubted easing restrictions would mean more parlors, as well. The city currently has three, including one downtown.

“I just cannot imagine 20 new ones coming in because of these changes,” Mendros said.