Council adopts ordinance limiting 'high-risk' commercial uses including dispensaries and vape shops

The White House City Council voted July 28 to adopt Ordinance 26-0728-01, a zoning amendment establishing regulations for so-called high‑risk commercial uses including vape shops, credit-access businesses, skilled gaming and dispensaries. Planning staff told the council the measure sets spacing, operational and signage rules and adds specific-use permit requirements to manage future locations while preserving existing businesses as legal nonconforming uses.

"The proposed ordinance establishes zoning, spacing, operational signage, and specific use permit requirements, to manage location operation of these uses while protecting public health, safety, and welfare," planning staff said during the presentation. Staff said the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the ordinance and that prior notice errors required the council to re‑take final action after corrected mailed notices were verified.

Council suspended the meeting to open a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Following the hearing the council approved the ordinance by motion and voice vote. The chair recorded the motion, a second was provided, and the motion carried by voice vote. The ordinance will be enforced under the city's combined zoning code and will require applicants for regulated uses to follow the new spacing and permit processes outlined in the ordinance.

Appeals or enforcement details were not discussed in depth; staff said the city will publish guidance on the permit process and will follow Planning and Zoning recommendations. The council did not receive any public opposition during the hearing and took immediate action to adopt the regulation.