Investor David Dobreff said his studio would use pristine sterilization techniques, vowed to obey state law not to tattoo or pierce anyone under 18 and presented a plan for a low-key, run-by-appointment business. All wear body art, which is becoming increasingly popular among all ethnic and age groups. And lastly, he expounded on the glories of artistic expertise.

"We would primarily cater to the naval base," Dobreff told the council. That might have been exactly the wrong thing to say in a town that has its own plan for how to capture the Navy dollar. A short distance south, at Sheridan Road and Martin Luther King Drive, the city is busy buying and tearing down blighted buildings on 40 acres it plans to market for restaurants, retail and, hopefully, a hotel.

Mayor Leon Rockingham retorted that a tattoo parlor "is not what I'm looking to bring into downtown North Chicago. "I'm not in favor of it," the mayor said. "A sign that says tattoos detracts from our town.

It takes away from what I'm trying to accomplish." Rockingham remarked that his own daughter -- who does public relations for certain city events -- is tattooed. "But I still don't want it on Sheridan Road," he said.

"It's not the image people want to see." Jim Ellis, alderman of the 5th Ward, raised his voice to Dobreff, who tried to argue that the parlor would help draw foot traffic to the site across from the former Bozinis Pharmacy. "We have a different idea of what types of business we want in that area, I don't think it's tattoo parlors," Ellis said.

While Hold Fast won approval from the city's Zoning Board of Appeals, it needs to obtain a special-use permit before it can open. Dobreff said he has been working to meet city requirements since February. No one on the council spoke in support of the Hold Fast petition, which is expected to be voted on July 16.

Investor David Dobreff said his studio would use pristine sterilization techniques, vowed to obey state law not to tattoo or pierce anyone under 18 and presented a plan for a low-key, run-by-appointment business.