Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prattville council extends temporary moratorium on new package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops
Summary
The Prattville City Council voted unanimously May 5 to extend a temporary moratorium on permits for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops through May 18, 2027 while staff completes a zoning review and the city hires a planning and development director.
The Prattville City Council on May 5 unanimously extended a temporary moratorium on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops while the city completes a review of its zoning ordinance and searches for a planning and development director.
Councilor Merrick, who introduced the ordinance, said the extension was intended to give staff time to finish a comprehensive review and to "protect the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents." The ordinance text states the extension "shall be effective upon public passage and publication and shall continue through 05/18/2027 unless terminated or extended by action of the city council."
Councilors first voted unanimously to suspend the rules so the measure could be considered immediately. A roll-call suspension vote was recorded as unanimous, after which the council adopted the moratorium extension.
Why it matters: City officials said zoning changes are needed to ensure Prattville is not "oversaturated" with certain types of businesses while planning staff prepare recommended ordinance changes. Councilor Merrick told colleagues the moratorium allows time for staff to gather information and return suggested changes for council consideration.
What the ordinance does: The extension prohibits issuance of new permits or approvals for the enumerated business types inside Prattville’s corporate limits until the council acts or the extension lapses. The ordinance includes a severability clause and exempts transfers of existing licenses as described in earlier amendments.
Next steps: Staff will continue the zoning review and the council indicated it will consider any recommended ordinance amendments once the planning director is on board and staff has compiled proposed changes. The moratorium will automatically expire on May 18, 2027 unless the council amends that date.
Votes and procedure: The council voted first to suspend the rules (unanimous roll call) and then adopted the ordinance in a subsequent unanimous vote. No members recorded a dissent on the record.
Speakers quoted or cited in this article are taken from the meeting transcript and include Councilor Merrick (introducer) and the presiding chair.
