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Commissioner Balch stated licensing was necessary otherwise there would be no <br /> enforcement. He referenced the business owner who provided public comment and had <br /> represented that he was trying to do the right thing; the license is the mechanism for <br /> enforcement. Commissioner Allen agreed but asked Commissioner Balch for his <br /> recommendation regarding grandfathering existing businesses if City Council decided not to <br /> support a TRL program. Commissioner Balch explained that the only option for him, if there is <br /> grandfathering and no TRL program, would be to require the retailer to "go dark." <br /> Commissioner Allen stated then there would be no enforcement if there's no TRL program. <br /> Commissioner Brown questioned enforcement with "going dark" without licensing, and without <br /> it that going dark was not viable. He stated a 500-foot buffer was not enough, particularly with <br /> the density in Pleasanton. He stated licensing was necessary and without licensing, the "go <br /> dark" option was not viable. He stated he was conscious of the fact that people had <br /> businesses with livelihoods they were supporting, and there were adults choosing to use <br /> tobacco; but underage youth were somehow obtaining products. He cited statistics indicating <br /> that many youth were affected, but questioned whether tobacco in general should be <br /> restricted. He concurred with Commissioner Balch that grandfathering would prevent the issue <br /> from getting worse but would not allow it to improve. He stated he did not want to wait for the <br /> attrition of those businesses and he was considering the option to grandfather existing <br /> locations with the option to "go dark" but that without a TRL program, he did not know if he <br /> could vote for grandfathering and going dark. <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 products, although he stated he was in favor of not having those within the <br /> City. He recognized that there are some honorable business members who would get wrapped <br /> up in the matter, who had never made an illegal sale and the local licensing mechanism would <br /> allow those businesspeople to maintain their businesses through grandfathered action; stated <br /> grandfathering could be 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 /> stated he did not feel buffering would make an impact and indicated support for forwarding the <br /> Youth Commission recommendation to the City Council. <br /> Commissioner Brown stated a 1000-foot buffer would decrease availability and usage. He <br /> stated that there appeared to be two options, both with a 1,000-foot buffer: A) If grandfathering <br /> is not allowed, provide for phase-out of tobacco products in 12-18 months and B) If <br /> grandfathering is permitted, do so only with retailers "going dark" and a TRL program <br /> implemented, with strict enforcement along the lines of a two-strikes rule. Those were the two <br /> options the Planning Commission could take action on in order to make an impact; and <br /> although he respected Chair Ritter, those were the two proposals he would make. <br /> Commissioner Allen indicated support for Commissioner Brown's statement and was prepared <br /> to vote. <br /> Excerpt: Draft Planning Commission Minutes, January 15, 2020 Page 7 of 9 <br />