Committee advances zoning revisions to restrict vape and smoke shops near schools and parks

The committee turned to zoning changes for vape and smoke shops, discussing an amendment to Chapter 112 that would define vape/tobacco/smoke shops, limit their proximity to schools, libraries, daycare centers, public recreation areas and bus stops, and add THC/Delta‑8 products to the ordinance’s definition.

Lisa (committee staff/presenter) said the draft is modeled on ordinances from nearby municipalities and noted that a 500‑foot buffer (about one downtown block) is currently under consideration; she recommended including town‑center and commercial‑service zoning districts in permitted use language and addressing nonconforming existing shops.

“Residents have come to this meeting and said we should not have vape shops right next to a school or a toddler park,” Lisa said, describing constituent concerns about clustering and retail placement. The draft also proposed that a retail business whose display of tobacco/vaping products exceeds 20% of total display area be classified as a tobacco store and therefore subject to zoning limits.

Committee members asked staff to remove or revise problematic clauses (for example, updating clause #7 and ensuring bus‑stop language is practical) and to refine the list of included products. The committee directed staff to schedule a public hearing on the zoning amendment and to refine the draft to add town center as a district and explicitly include other tobacco/THC products in the definition.

The committee discussed legal nonconforming status for existing shops in residential districts and noted that any expansion, sale or change of use would trigger zoning review; staff said those businesses would remain lawful nonconforming uses under typical zoning practice.