Waterford introduces licensing and zoning changes for vape and smoking stores

Waterford trustees reviewed and voted to introduce a package of ordinances March 23 to regulate vape and smoking stores.

Jeff Pukoski, director of development services, presented three items: a code amendment creating a licensing program for vape and smoking retailers, a fee schedule to set annual license costs, and a zoning amendment to make vape and smoking stores permitted only after special approval in specified commercial zoning districts. Pukoski said the proposal responds to a vape shop that recently opened across from a public school and noted that prior to these ordinances such businesses were treated as generic retail uses.

Key provisions Pukoski described include capping existing licenses at 17 for currently operating businesses, annual license review, a nontransferability rule that would require a new application if a licensed business ceases operation for 90 days or changes ownership, and revocation criteria if a licensee accumulates two or more violations (for example, selling to minors) within a five‑year period. He also noted planning‑commission review will precede any board action on the zoning piece.

Trustees discussed the proposed annual fee; the clerk’s office recommended a $500 annual fee and staff said that was permissible and consistent with similar local licenses. The board voted to introduce the ordinance amendments and the fee schedule; formal public hearings and votes will follow at subsequent meetings as required by state law.

What’s next: the planning commission will review the zoning changes and the board will hold required hearings before final votes.