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Principal and directors press city after vape/CBD shop seeks location within sight of Northside High
Summary
Northside High principal and directors raised concerns about a proposed vape/CBD shop near the school. Planning commission recommended a UDO amendment increasing school proximity restrictions; the board directed staff to review the business license and consider a city ordinance to restrict CBD sales to age 21 inside city limits.
Northside High Principal Chris Carter told the Board that a proposed vape and CBD retail business planned within approximately 40 feet of a classroom window would pose a problem for students, and he asked the city to explore zoning and licensing remedies.
Carter said the storefront’s façade includes flashing signage for CBD and vaping products and that the shop would be immediately visible to students: “a student can walk out of first period class, walk across the street, buy a CBD vape, and make it the second period on time,” he said. Carter asked the board to pursue ways to prevent such businesses locating so close to schools.
Planning staff told the board the Planning Commission had approved a recommended UDO amendment to require a 1,000‑foot buffer for tobacco and vape establishments from schools and daycare centers; staff noted that existing businesses that do not comply with a new buffer would be treated as legally nonconforming (grandfathered). Planning staff also said the state’s Alcohol Tobacco Control program does not impose the school‑proximity restriction being considered at the local level.
Board members asked administration to provide the business license and owner information for the shop, which staff identified in public remarks as Blue Ox LLC. One director moved to place an ordinance on next week’s agenda to restrict city sale of CBD products to persons 21 and older (matching the state age limit for e‑cigarette and vape products), and another director moved that staff review the business license and the city’s options for immediate action regarding the business near Northside High. Both motions received seconding and were set to return to the board for follow up; legal staff were tasked with researching whether local regulation of CBD sales is currently permissible under state and federal constraints.
Planning staff warned the board that altering proximity rules would not affect convenience and grocery stores that sell similar products; an amendment would apply only to the specific land use category of vape/tobacco retail. No ordinance was enacted at the meeting; staff will return with legal analysis and licensing records.
