Government
BY AUBREY VOGEL CONTRIBUTIONS BY TOMER RONEN
90 Missouri City could prohibit new smoke shops in city limits Iyamu said Missouri City has more smoke-related shops within its city limits than neighboring cities, such as: • Rosenberg with 16 • Pearland with 11 • Sugar Land with nine 2234 Smoke shops Existing Missouri City smoke shops Existing smoke shops will be able to continue business within city limits.
Missouri City is considering prohibiting future smoke shops from opening within city limits. The item comes after former District C council member Anthony Maroulis asked staff to review limiting smoke and vape shops in commercially-zoned districts within city limits as city staff work to update the city’s comprehensive plan, which serves as a guide for property uses. The big picture If approved, the moratorium would no longer allow businesses that have over 25% of revenue from smoke-related items within city limits, although City Attorney E. Joyce Iyamu said it would not affect the operations of shops already open or those in the permitting process. By the numbers The city currently has 20 smoke shops within city limits, with another already in the permitting process, Iyamu said.
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“I think it’s extremely important and now to really look at the numbers to see how we compare to other cities near and surrounding us; we really need to get that ordinance in place,” Mayor Pro Tem Sonya Brown-Marshall said at a July 29 meeting. Going forward A temporary moratorium began July 31 and will expire Nov. 9, although Iyamu said city officials aim to have a permanent ordinance in place by the end of the 90-day period. The council can also extend the moratorium if more time is necessary.
CARTWRIGHT RD.
Missouri City
LAKE OLYMPIA PKWY
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SOURCE: CITY OF MISSOURI CITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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