By David Skolnick

skolnick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The city planning commission recommended council allow a tattoo parlor/art gallery to open near Youngstown State University.

The commission voted Tuesday in support of allowing DNA Studios to establish its business at 137 Lincoln Ave.

DNA has been in Warren for the past eight years with the past two at 137 S. Park Ave., but the amount of foot traffic in that city’s downtown hasn’t been enough to grow the business, said Roy A. Schmidt, who operates it.

“The culture in Youngs-town is better for our business, and, of course, I’ll have the university across the street,” Schmidt said. “The tattoo shop has trudged along” in Warren.

While the art gallery would take up the front portion of the business and the tattoo parlor would be in a closed section in the back – as it is in Warren – it is the latter that makes most of the money for DNA, Schmidt said.

Council must approve the request before the business can open. If council votes in favor of the business, it will open about 40 days later, Schmidt said.

He said he wasn’t sure if the Warren location would remain open.

There were no objections to the tattoo parlor request at the commission meeting.

Also, the commission deferred a vote on a request from the Royal Oaks Bar & Grill, 924 Oak St., to vacate a portion of Lansing Avenue near the East Side business.

The Royal Oaks wants to use the 50-by-188-foot space for an outdoor patio, said John Kennedy, its co-owner.

“It doesn’t hinder access to anyone,” he said. “I’m just trying to grow the business.”

But some neighbors expressed concern that closing Lansing Avenue could cause problems.

The commission chose to wait to consider the request until after hearing likely next month from police and fire officials if closing the street poses a safety issue.