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Committee forwards zoning rewrite to planning commission and proposes ban on 'smoke shops'
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Summary
A North Canton committee approved forwarding a comprehensive zoning‑code rewrite to the planning commission and discussed a proposed ban on 'smoke shops'—defined as retail stores with 33% or more of inventory or floor space devoted to non‑tobacco nicotine/CBD/related products; formal action was postponed pending planning‑commission review and a public hearing.
The community and economic development committee voted to forward a proposal to repeal Chapter 11.39 and revise Chapter 11.37 of the codified ordinances to the planning commission, and discussed a new explicit prohibition on so‑called “smoke shops.”
Mr. Hunt, who read the ordinance title and led the staff presentation, said the rewrite consolidates business and industrial district rules into a single chapter to reduce future cross‑amendments and improve readability. "So, yeah, 1 of the big changes is the explicit prohibition of smoke shops," Mr. Hunt said, explaining the draft defines a smoke shop as any retail establishment with 33% or more of its stock or floor space devoted to non‑tobacco nicotine products, CBD, kratom or synthetic cannabinoids.
The proposal also creates a "neighborhood business" district intended as a middle ground between general business districts and residential areas, targeted for offices and light medical uses with limited hours and minimal late‑night activity. Staff emphasized the change is textual only and would not forcibly rezone any parcel; existing lawful uses would continue as legal nonconforming uses unless discontinued.
Legal/staff advice from Bridal clarified appeals and administrative procedures: designations for nonstandard uses would be made by the director of permits or the planning commission and appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBOA), aligning the process with the city charter. Mr. Hunt said height limits were moved into a table and drive‑through/pickup window standards from the Main Street district were woven into the consolidated chapter to provide consistent rules citywide.
Chair moved to recommend item 3a be forwarded to the planning commission for further consideration; the committee approved the referral by voice vote. The committee also approved a separate motion to postpone further committee consideration of the item until after the planning commission issues recommendations and the required public‑hearing process is complete.
The planning commission will review the redlined draft, hold public hearings (typically with a 30‑day notice window) and return its recommendations to council; the committee did not take a final zoning vote and made no ordinance amendment on the floor.
