Council approves ordinance allowing cigar bars and hookah lounges in specified commercial zones

The Lawton City Council on Jan. 27 approved an amendment to the city zoning code to add 'cigar bar' and 'hookah lounge' as permitted uses in the C‑5 General Commercial District when located on an arterial road and as uses permitted on review when not on an arterial.

Planning staff said the change responds to specific requests and establishes ventilation and building‑code conditions for indoor lounges. The ordinance was the subject of a brief public hearing; no members of the public spoke against the change during the hearing. Council voted 7–1 to approve the ordinance, waiving full reading and adopting the title as presented.

Council members said indoor use and ventilation requirements would remain controlled by existing building and health codes and that the change simply places these uses into the zoning code for case‑by‑case review when not on arterials. The ordinance becomes effective after the standard post‑adoption waiting period.