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Montgomery council discusses temporary moratorium on package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops
Summary
City councilors debated a proposed temporary moratorium on new or transferred package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape and vaping shops to limit youth access to vaping products; no final vote was recorded during the work session.
Montgomery City Council members debated a proposed ordinance to establish a temporary moratorium on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops in the city limits, focusing on concerns about students obtaining vapes near schools.
Council members said the moratorium aims to curb youth access to vaping products sold within walking distance of schools. “Most of these shops are within walking distance, and I just wanna come up with some type of ordinance that we can prohibit them from getting inside the school as much as they are, mister president,” said Mister Mitchell.
The council discussed the interplay between a pending state law and a local moratorium. “Is this going to kinda go on top of some of the regulations that we have from the state, or are we gonna redesign our own more restrictive ordinance for purchase and sale of vapes?” asked a council member during the discussion. The city attorney and staff indicated they were waiting to see how the state implements its law before finalizing local measures.
Council members proposed different durations for the moratorium. One member said a 90‑day window could be acceptable; another favored six months, and some referenced other nearby jurisdictions’ approaches. “If they are able to do it for a year, I don’t see why the city of Montgomery cannot do it for 6 months,” Mister Mitchell said. Another member added that a shorter window could bring the city through the start of the school year.
Officials also discussed grandfathering and how the moratorium would treat projects already underway. Staff said the ordinance “does provide that if you've already applied for a building permit or ABC license, that it doesn't apply to you.” The group discussed whether to bar transfers of existing licenses after the ordinance is advertised.
No formal motion or vote on a moratorium was recorded during the work session. Council members said staff and legal counsel will refine language and report back; one member indicated an amendment to set a shorter duration could be proposed when the item returns to the floor.
Council members framed the proposal as a public‑safety effort tied to reports of students bringing vapes into school, and they asked staff to coordinate with the state and with the Alabama ABC board as appropriate. The item will return for further action at a future meeting.
