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Commissioner Allen suggested treating tobacco shops and retailers the same. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor opined that tobacco stores and tobacco retailers were essentially the <br /> same and should be treated as such. He stated such a small number of retailers would be <br /> affected therefore it would not make much of an impact. <br /> Commissioner Balch clarified that 5-6 retailers were within the school buffer and 18-22 retailers <br /> were within 1,000 feet of parks and recreational facilities. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor stated the sale of tobacco sales had to be limited to make an impact. <br /> He recommended implementing regulations on vaping similar to the surrounding cities. <br /> Ms. Clark explained that tobacco stores would require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which <br /> might be a mechanism to reduce such stores. <br /> Commissioner Balch suggested reviewing the sting operations to determine whether <br /> conditions of CUPs had been enforced. He suggested implementing tobacco retail licenses <br /> and a citywide ban on e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco. He stated grandfathering would not <br /> make the desired change; if grandfathering were permitted, "going dark", tobacco retail license, <br /> and two strike consequence must be implemented, and tobacco shops not excluded. <br /> Commissioner O'Connor suggested a one-year transition period if grandfathering was not <br /> permitted. <br /> Commissioner Balch discussed the location of parks throughout the City, therefore, impacting <br /> more retailers. <br /> Commissioner Allen asked Commissioner Balch if he would still encourage '`going dark" if <br /> licensing was not implemented. Commissioner Balch stated licensing was necessary otherwise <br /> there would be no enforcement. <br /> Commissioner Brown questioned enforcement with "going dark" without licensing. He stated a <br /> 500-foot buffer was not enough, particularly with the density in Pleasanton. He stated licensing <br /> was necessary and without licensing, the "go dark" option was not viable. He stated underage <br /> youth were somehow obtaining products but questioned whether tobacco in general should be <br /> restricted; grandfathering would prevent the issue from getting worse but would not allow it to <br /> improve. <br /> Commissioner Pace indicated broad support of the comments but suggested reviewing <br /> existing enforcement mechanisms. He stated there were other policy decisions around <br /> flavored tobacco, although he stated he was in favor of not having those within the City. He <br /> stated grandfathering was difficult to navigate and might not be fair to existing businesses but <br /> finding a mechanism of enforcement through licensing would allow the City to take action and <br /> involve the merchant/business owner. He indicated support for 1 ,000-foot buffer and <br /> restrictions on marketing and advertising. <br /> Chair Ritter agreed with fellow Commissioners and stated the issue was more than the buffer. <br /> He suggested the City Council establish a retail license ordinance and implement bans. He <br /> Excerpt: Draft Planning Commission Minutes, January 15, 2020 Page 6 of 7 <br />