Council holds first readings on ban of new automotive fuel sales and prohibition on commercial adult-use cannabis; public hearing to follow

The Tipp City Council took first readings on two separate land-use ordinances that would significantly restrict certain commercial activity if adopted: one would prohibit new automotive fuel sales as a permitted use across commercial zoning, and the other would prohibit commercial cultivation, processing and dispensing of adult-use cannabis within city limits.

Mr. Mack summarized the background on both items. For the proposed ban on automotive fuel sales, Mr. Mack said the ordinance would amend Chapter 154 of the Tipp City Code of Ordinances to ban automotive fuel sales as a permitted use in commercial zoning. He told council the Planning Board held a public hearing on Sept. 9 and forwarded a positive recommendation to council. The ordinance was introduced and will require a second reading and public hearing before a final vote.

On adult-use cannabis, Mr. Mack said council had enacted two moratoriums over the past two years to allow staff to research the benefits and consequences of allowing, limiting or prohibiting commercial cultivation, processing and dispensing of adult-use cannabis. The current ordinance would prohibit those commercial activities; it was given a first reading and will return for further consideration at a later meeting.

During citizen comment, Tim Logan identified himself as present to speak about the proposed ordinance on prohibiting additional service stations and said he would return for the public hearing at the second reading. Tasha Weaver of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership spoke earlier in the meeting to note that the Tip Gazette won a state award and will be recognized nationally in April. Council members indicated the public hearing for the gas-station ordinance will be at the second reading and invited residents to testify then.

Neither ordinance was adopted at the meeting; both require further hearings and formal votes.