Painesville Township trustees recently voted to impose a 12-month moratorium on new smoke, vape, tobacco and head shops while officials review whether changes to the township’s zoning code are needed.
The moratorium was approved unanimously and without further comment by the trustees at their August 6 meeting. While the moratorium is in effect, township officials will not issue or process permits to open businesses that fall under these categories.
The moratorium resolution states that the trustees believe that the owners of the listed businesses “may consider establishing such businesses within the municipality.” It also raised concerns, based on information from other municipalities, “that such businesses may provide opportunities for the sale of drug paraphernalia and/or other related illegal products.”
“The Town of Painesville has legitimate concerns about the potential proliferation of establishments selling electronic cigarettes (vapes), electronic cigarette accessories, products generally considered drug paraphernalia, and similar products,” Trustee Gabe Cicconetti said in a later email.
“These concerns are especially valid when these types of businesses can not only inundate an area, but also have detrimental effects on the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Painesville Township,” he said. “It is our duty as a board of trustees to prevent and mitigate any potential negative impacts on residents and the business community alike.”
Township Administrator Hollie Bartone has listed three such businesses currently operating in the township, and a fourth has applied for a permit to open.
Cicconetti added that community leaders want to avoid “oversaturation of a single type of industry.”
“The data suggests that an overconcentration of a single industry or business type in an area can have negative impacts on the business community. Among other things, it can make it less attractive for other industries or companies to locate in the area,” he said.
“Taking Mentor Avenue as an example, we already have two established stores and another that recently received a zoning permit. They refer to themselves as ‘vape shops’ and sell not only e-cigarettes and related products, but also tobacco and products commonly considered drug paraphernalia,” Cicconetti later added.
The resolution further states that the municipality will use the one-year moratorium to review whether allowing new businesses is appropriate and whether the municipality’s zoning ordinance needs to be changed.
“We felt it was imperative to get ahead of this trend and issue a moratorium to allow adequate time to ensure we are doing what is best for the residents and businesses of Painesville Township,” Cicconetti said.
