Commission backs tobacco shop special‑use permit on Saunders Street over staff objection

The commission recommended approval of a special‑use permit to operate a tobacco shop at 2419 East Saunders Street, moving the application to City Council despite staff opposition.

Applicant Abdul (family name not provided in the record) told commissioners his company operates more than 30 locations in Texas and asked for permission to open in Laredo. Staff explained it had recommended denial because the city code was amended in 2023 to increase minimum separation requirements for tobacco shops (the code change increased the applicable separation from 300 feet to 800 feet, measured from the street line) and because the site as submitted was short the number of required parking spaces.

Staff further said the code change was rooted in the city’s effort to increase separation from schools and reduce youth access to vaping and e‑cigarette products; the department noted Montgomery Street schools were nearby and the 800‑foot standard reflected that policy intent. Commissioners discussed the site context — the parcel fronts U.S. 59 (Saunders), is adjacent to M‑1 and B‑4 zoning and faces a highway corridor rather than a residential block — and whether the ordinance’s intent applied in this instance.

Several commissioners said the location’s commercial context and frontage on a major road made it consistent with the spirit of the ordinance despite failing the strict distance test. The commission voted to close the public hearing and go against staff’s recommendation, forwarding a favorable recommendation to city council.

Clarifying details: staff noted the 2023 code amendment raising the adult‑use spacing standard from 300 to 800 feet measured from the street line; applicant did not request alcohol sales; site plan as submitted appeared to be five parking spaces short and the applicant was advised parking arrangements could be secured from neighboring properties subject to distance and parking rules.