Commission approves first reading to prohibit standalone smoke shops east of Intracoastal

The Hollywood City Commission on Sept. 4 approved on first reading a zoning text amendment that prohibits standalone smoke shops from locating east of the Intracoastal Waterway, after a lengthy discussion over whether to also ban additional 'adult uses' such as tattoo, tanning and body-piercing establishments.

Andrea Winget, director of development services, told the commission the amendment responds to prior concerns about smoke-shop clustering and explained that the proposal would prohibit smoke shops in four zoning districts east of the Intracoastal. Winget noted a scrivener's error omitting the C-1 district would be corrected on second reading and that a zoning-in-progress provision already subjects new applications to the stricter regulation in that area.

Commission debate focused on whether to include 'adult uses' as prohibited uses on the beach. Commissioners cited competing concerns: preserving a family-friendly beach environment versus the potential to unintentionally prohibit accessory uses such as hotel spas or convenience stores that sell a small percentage of smoke products. Commissioner Schuham moved to remove the broader adult-use language and approve only the smoke-shop prohibition; Vice Mayor Anderson seconded the motion. The commission approved the narrowed ordinance on first reading by roll call, 7–0.

City Attorney and staff advised that accessory-use language and broader updates to the city’s adult-use definitions are best addressed with targeted code revisions and could be refined for second reading so as not to inadvertently bar accessory hotel services or downtown accessory models.

Next steps: the ordinance will return for second reading with corrections noted by staff (including insertion of the omitted C-1 district and possible accessory-use clarifications).