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Planning commission backs vape‑shop ordinance but asks council to exclude traditional tobacco stores
Summary
The commission recommended the proposed vape‑shop/smoke‑shop zoning ordinance to borough council with a requested amendment to remove traditional tobacco stores (cigar/cigarette shops) from the definition and tighter zoning language on age access and proximity to schools/churches.
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposed ordinance to define and regulate vape shops and smoke shops and voted to forward a recommendation to borough council that would narrow the draft definition to focus on vape products and exclude traditional tobacco shops. Commissioners said the primary draft purpose was to address fire and battery safety concerns related to vaping products and not to create unintended zoning consequences for long‑standing tobacco retailers.
One commissioner summarized the commission's position: "I think it's subject to amending the definition of tobacco stores and smoke shop to eliminate additional tobacco products. Cigars. Cigarettes," and commissioners discussed refining distance and age‑access provisions so they are enforceable and appropriate to zoning. The commission's recommendation to council was made subject to those definitional changes and to clarifications about what is and is not a zoning matter versus separate regulatory codes.
