BRENHAM PLANNING & ZONING TO CONSIDER SMOKE/VAPE SHOP RESTRICTIONS

  

The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and vote on Monday for proposed text amendments to city code covering smoke and vape shops.

Last month, the Brenham City Council indicated a desire to proceed with authoring amendments that would create specific definitions for smoke and vape shops and limit them to the B-2 Commercial, Research and Technology zoning district and the Industrial District.  The amendments would also set distance requirements between those businesses and homes, schools, parks, churches, hospitals and other smoke or vape shops presently operating. 

Upon initially discussing this item in February, the commission seemed to prefer to wait until the Texas Legislature handles the matter before acting at the local level.

City staff writes in the agenda packet for Monday’s meeting that the revisions are intended to “build upon downtown’s success, maintain Brenham’s ‘small town feel’, support a healthy active community, and preserve the corridor appearance.”

Smoke and vape shops operating outside of the areas that would be permitted through these changes would be grandfathered, but they could not expand without a specific use permit granted by the commission and the city council.  The city is not recommending limiting operating hours.  Additionally, lounge uses, like cigar or hookah lounges, would not be impacted by the regulations since they are meant for consumption by adults 21 and older and are not exclusively for the sale of e-cigarettes or tobacco products.

Also on Monday, commissioners will hear a replat request from Sanvaez Properties LLC for 0.215 acres at 1005 Nelson Street.  The property owner wishes to develop the vacant land with a single-family residence. 

The commission will meet Monday at 5:15 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.

Click here to view the agenda packet for Monday's meeting.