Tattoo artist faces blocks in path to opening Morris business

MORRIS – Erik Sieczynski has wanted to open a tattoo parlor in Morris since he started coming to the city more than 10 years ago.

His wife, Stacy Sieczynski – owner of Nails & Tails Pet Grooming – has been in business in Morris during that time as Erik Sieczynski tattooed professionally in Ottawa.

Erik Sieczynski last summer approached the city about obtaining a conditional-use permit for a tattoo and body piercing establishment at 1368 Liberty St. – the former Liberty Medical Center – in what is designated as a B-3 commercial zoning district. He said he knew opening the business would be a challenge, but didn’t think it was impossible.

The Morris Planning Commission recommended Sept. 30 that the City Council approve the application. On Oct. 19, the council voted to table the discussion until it had a full council – eight members – present.

In the Oct. 19 meeting, several nearby property owners, or their legal representatives, stated objections to having a tattoo parlor nearby. They either said it was a threat to property values, not a suitable zoning area, or both. Objections were made by property owners Morris Hospital, Shawn Hornsby and Brian Barkley.

It wasn't until Monday that the council discussed the matter again, and the room was filled with people for and against the parlor. The application for the
permit was denied by the council and Erik Sieczynski's dream was put on hold after a
three-month wait.

The Sieczynskis said they asked Mayor Richard Kopczick months ago about the property in regards to zoning. They felt he was in full support of filling the blighted building.

Kopczick was required by statute to vote Monday, as a heightened majority of six out of nine votes is required when more than 20 percent of adjoining property owners file objections to a requested permit. As the vote sat Monday at five in favor and three against, Kopczick voted against the permit, making it 5-4.

The Sieczynskis said they’re disappointed in the mayor. Kopczick said Thursday he didn’t point Erik Sieczynski toward any specific property as it is not his job to do so. With a conditional permitted use permit, Kopczick said, property owners are notified and given a chance to speak. He said if no one objected, he would have voted solely on what’s best for the city.

But that was not the case, he said.

“It wasn’t just Morris Hospital. Every neighboring property owner objected to it,” Kopczick said.

Delays on the vote

Since September, a few council members have missed meetings for various reasons. The Sieczynskis specifically said they have a problem with the frequent absence of 4th Ward Alderman Bill Martin, who on Monday attended only his second council meeting since September. His presence allowed the council to discuss the application again.

Martin, who voted against the permit, is a union laborer and said he was assigned to a series of evening shifts that conflicted with council meetings.

Stacy Sieczynski said alderman is a paid position, and if someone can’t come to council meetings for a couple months, he or she shouldn’t be on the council.

When asked Thursday about the matter, Martin said he apologizes for not making the meetings. He was working 12 hours a day, seven days a week. He said he doesn’t believe he should resign because he attends all committee meetings and studies all topics.

Martin said he read all materials provided to him and kept up on the topic with Kopczick and other aldermen. While he said he feels bad for the Sieczynskis, the building sits in his ward, and he wanted to represent the property owners in the vote.

“I voted ‘no’ because property owners objected to it,” Martin said. “I have no problem with a tattoo parlor, but I want the people around it to be comfortable with it. They’re the ones near it day-to-day.”

Looking for space

The Sieczynskis feel they were made to wait too long for a decision and it’s left them scrambling to find an alternative for the rented space. They agreed in August to a three-year lease of the property with the owner, contingent on getting the permit approved within 90 days.

That 90 days expired in November. However, the Sieczynskis had already relocated Stacy Sieczynski’s pet grooming business to the first floor of the building, and with plans still in play to put the tattoo parlor on the second floor, they were able to alter their lease with the landlord and keep the space.

That same month Erik Sieczynski said he was let go by his former tattoo parlor in Ottawa after ownership there learned he was attempting to open his own business. When an artist leaves a parlor, they often bring loyal clients with them. It’s viewed in the tattoo industry as a threat to business, he said.

Erik Sieczynski said he hopes to find another location in Morris for a tattoo parlor.