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Downtown vape shops, Main Street medians and sidewalks draw mixed public comment; zoning amendment sent to Planning Commission
Summary
Residents voiced both support and opposition to downtown Main Street changes. One council ordinance to restrict vape/tobacco sales downtown was introduced and an amended motion passed to send the zoning change to the Planning Commission for public hearing and review.
Several members of the public addressed the council about proposed changes to downtown Main Street and a related zoning amendment that would limit where tobacco and vape stores can operate.
Diane Frankenberger said she supports an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that would prohibit vape shops downtown while grandfathering an existing shop. "I defend the right of people to vape, but I don't think it has a place downtown in our mix," she said, and also voiced support for the proposed medians, sidewalks, and street trees to make crossings safer for children and park users.
Other residents, including Adrian Quist, said the Main Street Improvement Project felt more like beautification than a traffic solution and urged that a second public hearing be scheduled before final approval so residents can weigh driveway access, first-responder concerns, and sidewalk use by scooters and bicycles.
Separately, the council introduced a first-reading ordinance to amend the Unified Development Ordinance to remove certain zoning districts where tobacco and vape stores are conditionally approved (the item was sponsored by Council Member Johnson). A council member moved to amend the motion to send the item to the Planning Commission so it can progress through the formal public-review process; that amendment was seconded and approved. The council noted the item will return after Planning Commission consideration and the standard two-reading process.
Council also discussed medians on North and South Main Street; one resident said she favored crepe myrtles or similar street trees rather than palm trees.
Clarifying details: the zoning amendment will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and then return to council for two readings; the proposed Main Street medians are presented as part of the Main Street Improvement Project and some residents requested additional public hearings before final decisions.
Next steps: the Planning Commission will receive the zoning amendment for review and public hearing scheduling; the council will continue to consider Main Street design details in future agenda items.
