A Columbia tattoo artist is a step closer to opening what could be the state’s first tattoo parlor near the Old Shandon neighborhood.

The Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals approved an application by Shavon, who goes by just one name, for a special exception to operate a tattoo parlor at Millwood Avenue and Woodrow Street, over some neighbors’ opposition.

But that approval is contingent upon Shavon’s abiding by all state regulations on tattoo parlors, rules that have not been crafted.

“I’m taking a very big chance here,” Shavon acknowledged in her presentation to the board.

Gov. Mark Sanford signed legislation in June permitting tattooing in the state.

Shavon already has put $100,000 into fixing up a three-bedroom house for her body art boutique. Painted purple and gold on the outside, it is hard to miss. Inside, ornate oriental decorations and furnishings already are in place. “I’m trying to go for a temple look so it’s very relaxing,” she said.

She could open for business within a week, she said.

But state regulations will not be in place until next year, said Thom Berry, spokesman for the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Once the agency’s board approves draft regulations, the Legislature will have to sign off on them before they are enforced.

So it likely will be the middle of 2005 before the agency begins granting licenses to tattoo parlors.

Shavon is rushing to be first in the market in hopes of setting a standard in the industry for professionalism and cleanliness, she said. “I’m here to try to keep the riffraff out of town.”

But not all her neighbors are happy.

Hoyt Burnett, of the Old Shandon Neighborhood Association, said the establishment is not right for the community. He expressed frustration that Shavon had not approached the association with her plans. He was also concerned about the effect the business would have on the neighborhood’s work toward achieving historic designation.

“No offense, but I don’t think purple and gold fits within the historic neighborhood,” he said.

A representative of the Epworth Children’s Home on Millwood Avenue complained the tattoo parlor would be a bad influence on children there.

Board members said they could not consider the activities of the business itself in their decision — only how it would affect such issues as traffic and aesthetics in the area.

Shavon said the tattoo parlor likely would have only four customers a day, and board members agreed the work on the house substantially improved its appearance.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in terms of whether you like the color scheme,” board chairman James Harrison said.

Columbia enacted a zoning provision allowing tattoo parlors by special exception within commercial districts in 2000, when the Legislature was considering allowing tattooing in the state. Other cities and counties, including the town of Lexington, still are deciding where to allow them.

Reach Drake at (803) 771-8692 or jdrake@thestate.com.