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Council advances zoning overhaul on vape shops, defers final action on hobby‑farm rules
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Summary
Council opened a public hearing and on first reading approved amendments to Zoning Ordinance No. 5079 that would tighten rules for tobacco/vape shops and revise hobby‑farm provisions; a motion to strip hobby‑farm language failed and the council did not suspend rules, so the ordinance returns for further consideration.
The Waterloo City Council on April 6 moved forward on a package of zoning changes that would update the City of Waterloo Zoning Ordinance No. 5079 to address hobby farms, farm animals, and tobacco/vape shops.
City planner Eric Schroeder summarized a year of subcommittee work that included public‑sector staff and community representatives. Schroeder said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the draft ordinance. "As written, there would be no new hobby farms allowed; existing approved hobby farms would be grandfathered," Schroeder said. On tobacco and vape shops, staff proposed defining a "tobacco vape shop" by the share of retail floor area (more than 25%) and adding setback requirements; existing establishments would be grandfathered.
Several residents urged caution and asked for more public outreach. Ed Olthoff said he found the draft confusing and flagged a moratorium on new permits. Jacob Olthoff submitted proposed standards—for example, spacing limits, penalties and permitting processes—based on outside guidance.
Council debated whether to split the ordinance so the vape‑shop provisions could move forward while hobby‑farm language returned for more public input. A motion to strike the hobby‑farm portion failed on a roll call vote (the motion received three yes votes and four no votes). Council then approved the ordinance as presented on first reading, but a separate motion to suspend rules and adopt the ordinance that night did not pass; the measure will return for second and third readings at the next meeting.
Staff told council that if the body wants to separate the two topics it should make a motion to strike the hobby‑farm text tonight and that striking would likely require sending the hobby‑farm language back to Planning & Zoning for review. Several council members urged more public notice and additional information prior to final adoption to avoid penalizing hobby farmers who follow existing rules.
