What’s happening?
At an Oct. 6 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit future smoke shops from opening in city limits. A smoke shop is defined as a business with more than 25% of its retail sales from smoking-related products.
Existing shops will still be allowed to operate in city limits but may lose status if they are abandoned, destroyed or severely damaged, according to agenda documents.
The prohibition on new smoke shops is part of the city’s 10-year initiative to make Missouri City “more attractive,” Dwayne Bolden, Missouri City Planning and Zoning Position 6 commissioner, said at a Sept. 10 meeting.
How we got here
An initial moratorium was first discussed in July and put in place at an Aug. 11 special meeting, after former District C council member Anthony Maroulis asked staff to review limiting smoke and vape shops in commercially-zoned districts within city limits.
Currently, there are 20 smoke shops in Missouri City, compared to nine in Sugar Land and 16 in Rosenberg, per agenda documents.
“We do not want to be a location known for [smoke shops],” council member Lynn Clouser said at an Aug. 4 meeting. “We want to be a destination.”
What else?
City Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting package liquor stores—which sell sealed alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises—within local retail districts, which are typically located along major thoroughfares to serve residents' retail needs.
However, local restricted districts and retail districts will still allow package liquor stores, provided such stores receive state permits, according to agenda documents.
Going forward
City Council will hold second readings for both ordinances, although dates have not been set. The next scheduled meeting is Oct. 20.
