Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Pastor urges council to block vape shop across from Mount Zion; city says zoning allows the use
Summary
Pastor Nehemiah Smith of Mount Zion First Baptist Church urged the Rocky Mount City Council to prevent a vape shop from opening at 301 West Thomas Street. Interim City Manager Peter F. Varney said the property is in a B-5 commercial services zone and that the tenant has applied for a certificate of occupancy and is finishing interior work.
Pastor Nehemiah Smith, speaking for Mount Zion First Baptist Church, urged the Rocky Mount City Council to prevent a proposed vape shop at 301 West Thomas Street from opening directly across from the church.
"Allowing a vape shop to operate in such close proximity to our church is an affront to our Christian sensibilities and the values that we strive to uphold," Pastor Smith said, noting Mount Zion's 158-year history and the congregation's community programs.
Interim City Manager Peter F. Varney told the council the site is in a B-5 commercial services zoning district and that…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
