Clinton council approves specialty-shop licensing ordinance on first reading; vape zoning measure delayed

Clinton — The City Council voted to approve Ordinance 704 on first reading, creating a new specialty‑shop licensing chapter that would govern vape retailers and similar specialty businesses. The ordinance, presented as draft #2, establishes definitions, an annual license, license conditions and a specialty‑shop board analogous to the city’s beer board.

Matt, who reviewed the draft for council, said the ordinance establishes a yearly application and license, creates a specialty‑shop board (in the draft composed of council members unless a separate board is created), and includes provisions for signage, ownership qualifications, nontransferability of licenses and a $1,000 annual bond to cover unpaid taxes or license fees. He said the draft also contains a relocation exception allowing a licensee who loses premises through no fault of their own 12 months to reapply for a new location without affecting the city’s total license numbers.

The ordinance passed its first reading in a roll-call vote. Mayor Burton announced that Ordinance 704 will return for its next scheduled reading as part of the normal ordinance process.

The council also heard a public hearing on Ordinance 703 earlier in the meeting, a separate proposed amendment to the zoning code that would add a new section for specialty and vape shops. Fred Richmond, owner of Tennessee Vapor Factory at 845 Clinch Avenue, told the council he was concerned about the effect of zoning changes on existing businesses and cited the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause as a legal concern, saying, “if you guys run me out of business… I guess we’re gonna be in court.”

Mayor Burton responded to Richmond’s concerns by saying the council would not act on Ordinance 703 that night and would hold it over for another month so staff could refine the wording; he invited Richmond to meet with city staff (Roger, Wendy, Shayla) ahead of the next meeting to review proposed language.

What it means: If finalized, Ordinance 704 would require specialty shops that primarily sell vape products or similar items to obtain an annual license, submit to licensing conditions and post a bond. The licensing board structure and nontransferability provisions are intended to give the city a regulatory mechanism similar to its beer board for addressing license applications and violations. The council’s decision to postpone Ordinance 703 gives existing businesses additional time to raise concerns and for staff to clarify relocation and exemption language.

Next steps: Ordinance 704 moves to its next formal reading; Ordinance 703 was postponed to next month for further review and staff edits.