By Sahar Chmais
Can we differentiate between permanent makeup artists and tattoo artists, and if so, how? This was one of the biggest points of discussion during the Feb. 11 meeting of Buda’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
It may seem like a strange question, but Buda doesn’t allow tattoo artists to work in the city. Yet permanent makeup was one of the suggested amendments to the Buda Unified Development Code.
Melissa McCollum, director of Planning, tried to clarify the difference between the two professions and how the city can make a distinction. She said that permanent makeup artists would have to operate within a beauty salon or spa and usually don’t operate on their own. Their jobs include tattooing eyeliner, lip liner or eyebrows on clients and wouldn’t be permitted to do body tattoos.
The commission had many questions on how to clarify that these licensed professions wouldn’t be doing anything but permanent makeup. McCollum said she could completely remove this suggestion or reword it. But it was suggested in the first place because some people have been requesting that the city allow these types of services.
A few other amendments were mentioned during the meeting, including whether minor repairs can be made in the Historic District. Once again, the word minor was questioned and commission members said they needed more clarification because its definition can vary.
Also, new uses were suggested for truck terminal/travel, plaza and truck stops, such as allowing trucks to stay overnight, which could bring on an issue of increased pollution. One solution presented could be allowing special use permits for these trucks.
The commission decided that the overall content of the proposed amendments needed cleaning up, so the commission motioned to table the amendments.
