Proposed Zoning Rules to Target Smoke Shops

Fayetteville, N.C., officials want to revise zoning rules with land-use policies, which could impact the city’s numerous smoke shops.

April 25, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – City officials are planning to revise zoning rules with land-use policies that would regulate, among other businesses, smoke shops, the Fayetteville Observer reports. The effort is targeted at redeveloping blighted areas, while growing commercial activity.

"Maintenance and reinvestment is a problem in our neighborhoods," said Scott Shuford, the city's development services director. "If you see a population in decline in an area, your home values are not increasing."

Councilman D.J. Haire said he was "excited about what I'm hearing," and speculated about the fate of the numerous area tobacco shops. "I just don't think we need to have them on every block," Haire said.

In response, Shuford said if research shows that tobacco shops encourage crime and blight, then "we may not require any more to open up."

As for how the measure would affect existing shops, Shuford said he would defer to popular opinion.

Shuford said he hopes to present a final policy draft to the city council for a public hearing and vote later this year.

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