Government
BY CODY THORN
Fort Worth officials OK ordinances for liquor, smoke shops The zoning changes approved amend the distance certain businesses have to be away from a like business, which could create nonconforming uses. Fort Worth business zoning changes
and mixed-use zoning; an additional distance of 500 feet between credit access businesses and other establishments; and increasing the distance requirement from schools, universities and hospitals from 300 feet to 500 feet for liquor stores and smoke shops. Austin Rankin, regional director of operations for Specs Liquor, said this would severely impact the liquor store industry in Fort Worth. “This proposed ordinance is anti-competitive and anti-business. The mere suggestion that the products that we sell are problematic within a certain geographical area is ridiculous,” he said. Quote of note “These zoning updates are a proactive step to help ensure it stays that way by giving the city stronger tools to guide responsible commercial growth, quality investment and long-term economic vitality in north Fort Worth,” District 10 Council Member Alan Blaylock said.
Fort Worth City Council members unanimously voted in favor of limiting the proliferation of cer- tain businesses, such as vape stores, liquor stores and payday loan businesses. The zoning ordinance was passed during the Jan. 27 regular meeting. A closer look Distance requirements are now mandatory for smoke shops, credit access businesses and liquor stores, according to city documents. A Dec. 2 presentation stated the new ordinance was to protect neighborhood vitality and balance land use, along with proper zoning restrictions. Existing businesses may become nonconforming, or grandfathered in, by zoning changes. Any new business must meet the updated requirements, the ruling states. The changes approved include an additional distance of 700 feet between liquor and package stores; removing liquor and package stores as permitted use in neighborhood commercial zoning
Previous distance
New distance
Changes
Liquor Stores 300 feet apart
1,000 feet apart
Credit Access Business/ Payday loan, pawn store 500 feet apart
1,000 feet apart
New
Smoke shops 1,000 feet apart
SOURCE: CITY OF FORT WORTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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