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Previously, spas like the new TS Massage were classified as “regulated uses” in Madison Heights, which made it difficult for them to open, but a zoning rewrite now makes it easier for them and other businesses, such as tattoo parlors and pool halls, to set up shop in the city.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
MADISON HEIGHTS — The city of Madison Heights overhauled its zoning ordinance last year, setting the stage for new types of businesses that are now beginning to appear.
The intent behind the ordinance rewrite was to modernize the document, which provides guidelines for what is and isn’t allowed in the city. Prior to last spring, it hadn’t been updated in nearly 50 years. Societal attitudes have changed in that time, and the zoning changes reflect this.
Tattoo shops and massage parlors, for example, were previously classified as “regulated uses” that made it hard to open them in Madison Heights. Now, one of each has opened in recent months: Red Oaks Tattoo Company, 26093 John R Road, and TS Massage, 160 W. 13 Mile Road.
“We’ve had a soft opening with some customers so far, but we’re still getting fully ready,” said Yim Patel, owner of TS Massage, which had its business license issued in November. “We’re looking forward to people coming in to get massages. We like to have one room with two massage tables so that couples can enjoy a massage together. The clients we’ve had so far have been very satisfied with the experience we offer. It’s a great way to relieve stress and help clear the mind.”
Red Oaks Tattoo Company had its license issued in August, moving in from Hazel Park. Kendall Orlando, the owner, did not return requests for comment by press time. However, Mark Bliss, the mayor pro tem of Madison Heights, said he’s been impressed with the place.
“The artists are phenomenal, and the place is always jam-packed in there,” Bliss said. “It’s in our DDA (Downtown Development Authority), and it’s a really nice addition. I think it’s an example of what happens when we update and revise policies like this. Now we have these new thriving businesses in our community.”
Madison Heights Economic Development Director Giles Tucker explained in an email that the previous classification deterred businesses like Red Oaks Tattoo Company and TS Massage from setting up shop.
Businesses classified as regulated uses were prohibited from being located within 1,000 feet of other businesses classified as regulated uses, or within 300 feet of residential districts, schools, childcare facilities, places of worship and certain other public spaces. That didn’t leave many other options in a smaller town like Madison Heights.
“As a part of the city’s zoning ordinance rewrite process, our Planning Commission and City Council eased past zoning restrictions of licensed massage therapy and tattoo parlor uses by removing them from the regulated use section of the zoning ordinance,” Tucker said. “Red Oaks Tattoo Company and TS Massage are among the first companies to benefit.”
Other types of businesses will benefit, too, including pool halls.
“Hopefully we’ll get our own pool hall soon,” Bliss mused. “It’s interesting that those were once banned in our city. Maybe they were worried about a standoff like in Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ video? Regardless, I’m excited to see what additional development this spurs.”
In addition to allowing more businesses into town, the zoning rewrite also relaxed standards for accessory dwellings, giving residents more leeway in making modifications to their homes to accommodate relatives, such as living spaces above a garage or built off the side of the house.
The rewrite also created three new districts, eliminated several others and defined a half-dozen more, allowing for a greater variety of land uses that include more housing.
One of the new districts is the City Center Form-Based District, or CC district, which aims to create a highly walkable downtown area that aligns closely with the DDA, which generally includes properties abutting John R Road from Gardenia Avenue to 10 Mile Road and along 11 Mile Road from Interstate 75 to Lorenz Avenue.
The other two new districts are Mixed-Use Innovation 1 and Mixed-Use Innovation 2, abbreviated as MUI-1 and MUI-2, respectively. They span a patchwork across the city, the result of the planners having identified sites that were often “concrete jungles” with excessive parking — property that officials feel could be better used for mixed-use developments.
The mayor pro tem said it’s all about bringing the city in line with modern sensibilities.
“We had been getting multiple requests from tattoo shops wanting to come in for years, but they weren’t allowed to before,” Bliss said. “Even if you don’t think you’ll ever get a tattoo, you should be happy there’s a thriving new business drawing people here who might also eat here and frequent our other establishments, since it’s located next to small mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. It’s in a great location, and these changes are bringing out folks.”
