[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6472077,"mediaKeyId","5777076-c07088821b749bb82a80e659c354bed0","parentId",5777076,"title","Planning commission seeks percentage limit with cap for tobacco displays, continues smoke‑shop relocation hearing to Oct. 7","audioSeconds",3220,"startMs",753000,"endMs",3973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777076-c07088821b749bb82a80e659c354bed0&start=753&end=3973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777076-c07088821b749bb82a80e659c354bed0/thumbnail_753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472077/El-Cajon/San-Diego-County/California/Planning-commission-seeks-percentage-limit-with-cap-for-tobacco-displays-continues-smokeshop-relocation-hearing-to-Oct-7","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472077-0fac235c9d0071975ca3396cf0333743/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971708&Signature=juGdECxtYzgwZ~pKRt-KgCFFvvf-BFq8RejlxrL1kwYYxuc7bW0pqS8Y5YG~5US5mhBz7~TgkC8AlcZNZwS7vs0sSB9H5JVb5lkcEEgCfwRIg4TwlUsXhQFhcQ2b3O2E7AfW9qFhruDbVcc5G7Kj05wMGKBOMQFpVvNxkFzo0jg9vRfgpF2CFLYwAwgi0E0-UUNIWlNrpUnRW3Ggso3kGpKlxR1Hcmj1mfYFXrZ-iusKXZL7qQXfSK48GONcsKJfT-3H1IVNlqe6gAjpMLpHhgndO96jL4K3okTC0DZHvgreKszf065vpYad0-CGLHkeAcIe5QFw6zt6E2tjB-OO7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Elcajon","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The El Cajon Planning Commission on Sept. 24 took public testimony and provided direction to staff on proposed changes to the city’s tobacco display and smoke‑shop regulations, then voted to reopen and continue the public hearing to Oct. 7 for additional analysis and draft language.

Staff framed three display options for tobacco retailers: retain the existing 16‑cubic‑foot cap, increase to 32 cubic feet, or switch to a percentage‑of‑retail‑floor‑area limit (staff cited 3% as a working example). Staff told the commission that citywide there are 97 tobacco sales locations, including 89 tobacco retailers and 8 smoke shops; inspectors found 24 of the 97 retailers displaying hookahs.

Planning staff also asked for input on whether existing smoke shops that were deemed legal nonconforming when the code changed in February 2006 should be allowed to relocate. Staff described language that would allow those existing, CUP‑permitted smoke shops to move only to locations that are \"no less compliant than today\"—for example, a shop 100 feet from residential could move only to a new location at least as far from residential uses. Staff noted current separation standards in the municipal code include 500 feet from residential and 1,000 feet from other tobacco shops for certain separation requirements.

Public testimony split along business and public‑health lines. Vince Catula, representing El Cajon Cash & Carry (1198 E. Main St.), asked the commission to adopt a percentage‑of‑floor‑area approach for hookah products only, arguing the existing cubic‑foot cap is ill‑suited to large cultural hookahs. \"We don't believe that hookah should be held to the same display size restrictions as a 3‑inch pack of cigarettes,\" Catula said, and urged either a percentage limit for hookah or a percentage with a square‑foot cap (he suggested a cap such as 500 square feet and a minimum qualifying store size of 4,000 square feet).

Rami Tomika, owner of El Cajon Cash & Carry, described the store’s specialty inventory of large, imported hookahs and said customers travel nationally to purchase rare pieces; Tomika said the business has operated in El Cajon since 2007 with no violations.

Representatives of CASA (Community Action Service and Advocacy) urged the commission not to expand display space. Samantha Cruz, a CASA staffer, said state law has already narrowed the range of flavored products available and cautioned that larger displays could normalize tobacco use and increase youth exposure. \"There is no demonstrated need for the tobacco and smoke shops to be granted more display space,\" she told commissioners. Donna Colbert, CASA executive director, and public‑health advocate Rebecca Branstetter urged retaining the current restrictions and asked that any relocations preserve minimum separation distances to protect residential areas and youth.

Commissioners discussed a compromise: move to a percentage‑of‑retail‑area approach with a maximum cap so larger retailers would not be able to dedicate disproportionate wall space to tobacco while allowing businesses selling large hookahs reasonable display access. Commissioners also discussed the limited number of locations in El Cajon that meet the strict separation standards; staff said only a few regional commercial sites (for example near Parkway Plaza) would likely meet the existing spacing if relocations required complete compliance.

Following deliberations, the commission voted to reopen and continue the public hearing to Oct. 7. The motion—made by Commissioner Edison and seconded by Pollock Root—directed staff to return with analysis and draft code language for a percentage‑of‑floor‑area approach with a not‑to‑exceed cap, and with data on store sizes and examples of maximum caps for the commission to consider. The motion carried by unanimous vote of members present.

Staff will return on Oct. 7 with draft ordinance language, an analysis of retailer square footage citywide, and proposed maximum caps and thresholds for the commission’s further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Elcajon - Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","After public testimony from retailers and public‑health advocates, the El Cajon Planning Commission directed staff to draft an ordinance option using a percentage‑of‑floor‑area limit with a maximum cap for tobacco displays and continued the public hearing to Oct. 7, 2025.","taxTitle","El Cajon, San Diego County, California","taxId",2845,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6472082,"Planning commission approves auto glass and window‑tinting shop at 944 Broadway",597,231000,828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5777076-c07088821b749bb82a80e659c354bed0&start=231&end=828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5777076-c07088821b749bb82a80e659c354bed0/thumbnail_231000.jpg","/articles/6472082/El-Cajon/San-Diego-County/California/Planning-commission-approves-auto-glass-and-windowtinting-shop-at-944-Broadway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472082-095df8ec83096ea19e629d793b6dc317/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971708&Signature=mZ3o2pC9L~ZfT84ZWzxm-LEgmX-6PrYswXehH67lzZkV5Jw-5lDfqlGm45aiCx6A5G~X8gBWgMnXKYquzfADs6RAUPRtqACAh5y-gSCBZURFpo98SVSindmgIc~6ijwKJWNpzmB9y7NlLIukrLD-xt4ouZEvuqVLfBzvrdizjEtIIvydLeIO~6t18YAghRsObMbnjffkqMgtHIjjeOhsGdl0Hk-FC7AEzRE9GjHwwKcCGVMcPTNWsXMBO8R2OX-4GTKuxTikC1cXSUU0A7VbrN8J69WmaUUjqDiJ~-2bZjnesKEaOzxmLWA2o3m4kXgavaFl9VvkyLsWSUScIiAbfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Cajon Planning Commission on Sept. 24 approved a conditional use permit and a CEQA exemption allowing 1 Auto Glass and Window Tinting to operate at 944 Broadway.

Staff said the business will conduct all proposed auto glass and window‑tinting activities inside the existing building and that the project would be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as an existing facility with no changes to the structure. \"Staff's recommendation is that the planning commission adopt the next resolutions in order approving the CEQA exemption, as well as the conditional use permit,\" a staff member said during the hearing.

The site is a little more than one‑third of an acre with an existing two‑story building just under 6,000 square feet; the applicant does not propose structural changes but will complete exterior improvements including landscaping, fencing and permitted signage. Staff told commissioners the use is consistent with the site’s General Commercial general‑plan designation and likely would not generate smoke, odors or dust harmful to surrounding properties.

Commissioners asked about water use and cleanup for tinting. Staff said the city’s stormwater division reviewed the proposal and determined the minimal water used for window work would be handled with towels and comply with stormwater regulations; the applicant was present to answer additional questions but did not add to the record.

One member of the public, Donna Pewell (spelled aloud during testimony), identified herself as representing the property owner and described security work at the rear of the site. Pewell told the commission the owner replaced a demolished 6‑foot wooden fence with an 8‑foot chain‑link fence and barbed wire across the top (which she said could be removed if required). \"Ever since the fence has been replaced, there has not been any problem with homeless people,\" she said, adding the property had suffered vandalism and drug activity before the new fencing.

The commission adopted the staff resolutions approving the CEQA exemption and CUP 2025‑0016, subject to the conditions on the staff report. The motion to adopt the resolutions was made by Commissioner Circles and seconded by Paula Rood. The motion carried by unanimous vote of the members present.

The permit allows the tenant to operate the proposed auto‑glass and window‑tinting business at 944 Broadway consistent with the conditions set by staff; the planning commission record will reflect the adopted resolutions and conditions for compliance and any required permits for exterior signage or fencing.","The El Cajon Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit and CEQA exemption for a new auto glass and window‑tinting business at 944 Broadway, with staff saying the use is consistent with the site’s commercial designation and will not change the building footprint.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission seeks percentage limit with cap for tobacco displays, continues smoke‑shop relocation hearing to Oct. 7

Planning commission approves auto glass and window‑tinting shop at 944 Broadway