The item comes after former District C council member Anthony Maroulis asked staff to review limiting smoke and vape shops in commercially-zoned districts within city limits as the city staff works to update its comprehensive plan, which serves as a guide for property uses, location and zoning.
The big picture
If approved, the moratorium would no longer allow businesses that have over 30% of revenue from smoke-related items within city limits, although City Attorney E. Joyce Iyamu said it would not affect the operations of shops already open or those in the permitting process.
“This is really to kind of stop the proliferation because we’ve seen ... such an increase in the amount that this process really stops the numbers where they are,” council member Lynn Clouser said at a July 20 special City Council meeting. “It gives the city the opportunity to address the detrimental impact, really on public health and safety with these kinds of establishments.”
By the numbers
The city currently has 20 smoke shops within city limits, with another already in the permitting process, Iyamu said.
Iyamu said Missouri City has more smoke-related shops within its city limits than neighboring cities, such as:
- Rosenberg with 16
- Pearland with 11
- Sugar Land with nine
Sugar Land City Council voted to prohibit new tobacco, hookah and vapor stores within its city limits last April. Rosenberg has also limited smoke shops allowed in city limits, according to agenda documents.
Going forward
The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. July 31 at Missouri City City Hall, located at 1522 Texas Parkway.
Following the public hearing, a temporary 90-day moratorium will begin with City Council considering an ordinance Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 to no longer allow new smoke-related shops within city limits.
