PEMBROKE — The Pembroke Town Council during a workshop Monday discussed putting new restrictions for tattoo parlors in ink.

Currently tattoo parlors are limited to Highway-Business zones, but without stipulations. The council discussed adding the following conditions, but took no action:

— A tattoo parlor cannot be located within 500 feet of any school, church, public library, residential district or day care center.

— No more than one parlor could be located in a single shopping center.

— Limited operating hours from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. A parlor could not open on Sundays.

— All parking must be located on site, and the parking lot must be fully illuminated.

The recommendations had come from the town’s Planning Board.

“Tattoo parlors are frequently leading to a lot of late-night operations,” said Dale Holland, a consultant with Holland Consulting Planners Inc. “They frequently lead to a lot of congregating — people who are not necessarily there for a tattoo. The tend to have signage that is sometimes not attractive to adjacent businesses. In most communities, whether right or wrong, they require separation of these businesses.”

Holland added, “It has nothing to do with crime,” but said tattoos are becoming increasingly popular and the town needs regulations to control their growth.

“Realistically, I don’t think we’re going to have that problem,” Councilman Larry Brooks said.

The proposed restrictions come after the council approved a request from Johnny Ozuna on Dec. 3 for a conditional-use permit that he needs to open Big Boys Tattoos at 621 Union Chapel Road in January.

The council is expected to continue the discussion on tattoo parlors when it meets on Jan. 7

In other business, the council:

— Amended an ordinance that increases the size limit for a business sign from 75 square feet to 400 square feet.

— Scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 7 on proposed amendment to an ordinance governing the size of residential and commercial lots.