Newman City approves zoning text amendments on car dealerships, vape shops and extended-stay hotels after public hearing

The Newman City Council on Feb. 25 held a public hearing and subsequently approved zoning ordinance text amendments (Articles 2, 3 and 13) that add regulations for vape shops, car dealerships, boat and recreational-vehicle sales, used-auto lots, and extended-stay hotels.

Planning staff told the council the recommended changes grew from a 2024 conversation and a council retreat, and followed a moratorium on new car dealerships, vape shops and extended-stay hotels. The planning commission recommended that some of the specified vehicle and specialty sales be treated as special-exception uses requiring public review, and suggested distance buffers and design oversight so large dealership or sales operations would trigger board review.

During the public hearing no members of the public spoke. Staff explained that extended-stay hotels had previously been treated the same as other hotels and motels, allowing some projects near residential neighborhoods without specific conditions; the proposed amendments would treat extended-stays as a distinct use and allow the council and planning commission to consider location and buffer standards. "Currently extended stays aren't regulated separately from hotels and motels," a staff member said.

Council members moved and seconded approval of the amendments and a separate motion to accept the planning commission's recommendations. Both motions were approved by voice vote and recorded as "motion carried" in the transcript. The transcript did not include the precise buffer distances or the full text of the zoning changes; staff said the planning commission's recommendations provided the framework and that further detail would appear in the formal ordinance language.