The Tallmadge planning and zoning committee on Feb. 27 moved forward a proposed six-month moratorium on acceptance of zoning applications for vape and smoke establishments. Councilwoman Mary Gutman, chair of the committee, said the moratorium will give the city time to study potential zoning regulations similar to those used for cannabis-related businesses.

Ordinance 2025-32 is at second reading and a public hearing was scheduled for March 13, 2025, at 7:01 p.m. Gutman said the city has received inquiries from prospective operators and that other communities are adopting similar moratoria while they consider regulatory options. No public comments were recorded at the Feb. 27 meeting on the moratorium.

The moratorium would pause new zoning applications for six months while staff and council review potential zoning setbacks, buffer rules and other location-based limits; specific regulatory changes were not proposed at the Feb. 27 session.