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Plain City to pursue outdoor smoking restrictions; staff to draft ordinance
Summary
Council revisited outdoor smoking rules and directed staff to draft legislation; staff proposed a 25-foot buffer from posted signs while some councilors favored larger buffers or banning smoking except in designated areas; solicitor advised code amendment and minor-misdemeanor enforcement.
Council discussed expanding Plain City’s smoking restrictions outdoors and asked staff to prepare ordinance language for future consideration.
Administrator Haley Lupton reviewed state law that already bans indoor smoking and explained municipalities may adopt stricter outdoor rules. "Staff is proposing legislation that would prohibit smoking within 25 feet of posted signs," she said. President M. Terry suggested extending that buffer to 50 or 100 feet to reduce the total number of signs; Mr. Sintz countered that fewer signs might reduce visibility.
Mr. Harriman said he would favor prohibiting smoking in outdoor public spaces except for designated areas. Police Chief Dale McKee asked how enforcement would work without a criminal charge; Village Solicitor Paul-Michael La Fayette replied the code would need amendment and a minor misdemeanor penalty could be implemented.
Council gave staff direction to draft the proposed restriction and bring back an ordinance for formal consideration.
