Planning Commission Discusses Kaballos
Jennifer’s Hair Obsession beauty salon, at 15622 West High Street, was granted a conditional use permit Aug. 14 to add a body art service to the shop.
Jennifer’s Hair Obsession beauty salon, at 15622 West High Street, was granted a conditional use permit Aug. 14 to add a body art service to the shop.
The salon’s owners, Jennifer and Justin Filla, and Tori Worthen, tattoo specialist, explained to the the Middlefield Village Planning and Zoning Commission their plans to expand their services.
“I definitely want to expand here. I grew up here. I like the small town vibe,” Jennifer said, presenting letters supporting her plans. “I have lots of clients who come here. I’d rather bring money from Willoughby than send people there.”
She asked if a former tattoo parlor across the street from her venue should have had a permit.
“That other one fell through the cracks,” said village Zoning Inspector John Boksansky, who voiced no objection to the commission approving a conditional permit to Jennifer’s operation.
Worthen said she did not know the village had an ordinance requiring tattoo parlors to have permits.
“I didn’t mean to overstep at all,” she said, noting two of her top priorities are safety and cleanliness.
Jennifer said Worthen doesn’t use an autoclave to ensure her equipment is disinfected, preferring to use disposable tools.
“Everything goes in the garbage. Honestly, it’s the better way to do it,” Jennifer said, adding a tattoo operation is inspected by the local health department and the Ohio State Board of Cosmetologists keeps an eye on tattoo parlors, as well.
Mayor Ben Garlich confirmed a tattoo parlor is not on the list of approved permits, which refers to a list of businesses that do not have to come before the commission to operate.
On the recommendation of commission member Dave Dietrich, the permit was contingent on the salon maintaining licenses from the Ohio State Board of Cosmetologists and the Geauga Public Health.
Kaballos Future Uncertain
In other business, Garlich said the owner of Kaballos Mexican Restaurant and Bar at 15585 West High Street is working with the insurance company to determine whether they want to tear down the building that was heavily damaged in a fire in April.
The roof has been covered with blue tarps for months.
“We can’t let this go on for two years,” Garlich said, adding the insurance company is recommending demolition.
The building, about 20 years old, would be expensive to rebuild, he noted.
“At some point, (Middlefield Village Council) may declare it a nuisance,” said village legal counsel Luke McConville.
“I don’t want to do that. I think that restaurant is an asset to this community,” Garlich said, adding if the owner wants to rebuild and beat the winter weather, he would have to decide soon.
“We have solid nuisance condition (regulations),” McConville said. “It will fall under that if nothing is happening.”
On Aug. 23, Garlich provided the following update.
“I know the owner of the property, who is not the restaurant operator, has been negotiating with the insurance company and I hear they are close to an agreement,” he said. “In the interim, the restaurant (has) a small operation in Newbury, which was in motion prior to the fire, and recently equipped a food truck currently operating across the street from his previous location in the parking lot of the Marketplace Mall.”
The smaller restaurant is located in the Newbury Center plaza at Auburn and Kinsman roads.
