Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Tobacco topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances first reading to define and regulate tobacco retailers
Summary
Planning staff presented a zoning text amendment to add a definition and location restrictions for "tobacco retailer," including special land-use review, 1,000-foot buffers from schools/churches/parks and additional site-plan review; the planning commission recommended approval.
City planning staff presented a zoning text amendment to add a definition for "tobacco retailer," move tobacco stores into regulated/adult uses, require special land-use review and site plans, and impose a 1,000-foot location requirement from churches, schools and parks. The planning commission unanimously recommended the change.
Staff said the change responds to a surge in re-occupancy applications for tobacco stores and aims to treat businesses whose primary operation is tobacco sales differently than general retail. A resident asked whether the definition applied based on quantity sold; staff clarified the definition targets businesses whose primary business is selling tobacco, not incidental sales at general retailers.
Council approved the first reading and discussed that existing businesses would be nonconforming uses and could reoccupy only as the same use. Staff said the ordinance adds specific review standards and an extra fee for special land use applications. The amendment will return for subsequent readings as required.
