But it was the companion ordinance -- 555(06) -- that drew the most fire. That ordinance, Jones said, would have allowed tattooing in several commercial zones in the city, including the C3 commercial zone which covers professional business such as insurance agents and doctor's offices.

And that, Cavnar believes, is wrong.

"I don't want to see a tattoo parlor next to a local dentist," he told The Transcript this week. "I think we can be a little bit selective on what goes in there."

However, Moore resident Max Ross, said it's that perception -- not the tattooing business, itself -- that is wrong.

Ross, who owns Norman's Hall of Tattoos, described his studio as a cultural center which offers jewelry, art and tattooing to area residents. "We operate a very respectable business," he said. "We exceed all the standards set by the state. It's a very professional operation."

In fact, Ross said his Norman location has been so successful that he wants to open a second tattoo studio in Moore. "In Norman, we had our grand opening in June. And since then business has been wonderful. The community has just been awesome. We have a real diverse set of customers -- 80 percent of them are over the age of 25," he said.

That success, Ross said, made him want to expand into Moore. Ross is seeking to locate his studio in a former convenience store at 1301 North Janeway; that studio, Ross believes, would be the first one in the community.

"Moore is a great community. It's a great place to raise your kids. I live there, my kids go to school there, I serve on the PTA there -- and I'd like to have a business there, he said. "But I'm afraid they're trying to ordinance me out of the city."

While Ross says he's already contacted city officials about what would be required to locate a tattoo studio there, he knows his toughest job will be convincing the city council.

"If you come to my store in Norman, I will change your perception about tattoo studios," he said. "We have a wonderful local artist, Michael Wilson. We feature art, jewelry and all sorts of things. It's a very mixed cultural bag."

However, even with the eclectic blend of art and culture, Cavnar said Moore officials "must be careful" about where businesses such as tattoo studios are located. "Moore is doing extremely well right now. We're trying to get the best possible exposure for the city."

Cavnar said some of his concerns -- like those of Economic Development Director Dedra Ebrey -- were based on issues posed by large national retailers.

"Many times, a big national retailer won't locate next to a business such as a tattoo studio," Ebrey said. "It's because they draw a much different demographic and their hours are so different. We have the same type of problems with some businesses not wanting to locate next to gyms."

Hence, the issue with zoning.

Community development director Elizabeth Jones told commissioners that city staff struggled with how to classify tattoo parlors, micropigmentation and body piercing centers. "In many communities we contacted, the ordinances governing tattooing were classified under the same rules as a cosmetic procedure," she said. "However, I don't agree with that. Our ordinance is in the same category that includes pawn shops and blood and plasma donation centers."