City of Cullman to limit locations of future 'vape stores'

Patrick Camp, The Cullman Times, Ala.
Updated ·4 min read

Apr. 10—Any future vape stores looking to open shop in the city of Cullman may soon have the number of prospective locations drastically reduced under a new amendment to the city's zoning ordinance presented Monday, April 8.

Currently tobacco and vape stores are undefined by the city's municipal code and are non-conditionally permitted in all business districts. The amendment proposed Monday would restrict their future growth to the high-volume B-3 district. Vape stores would also be required to obtain permission from the planning commission and city council before being allowed to open.

The amendment would also provide more clarity as to what is considered to be a "tobacco, vape, CBD, THC shop/store," defining them as "any retail premises whose primary purpose is dedicated to the display, sale, storage of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes (a product containing or delivering nicotine, or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product including, but not limited to, "vapes"), CBD products (products made from CBD containing less that 0.2% THC), and/or THC products (including Delta-8 and Delta-9 products that come from the cannabis sativa plant which are subject to federal, state and local guidelines and laws)."

The city's zoning map shows several smaller B-3 zones throughout the city, but the most prominent areas include the four south-side shopping centers, the strip mall just north of AL-Hwy. 157 containing Cabin Fever Beverages, and a parcel of land near Rehau.

Vape stores currently in operation would be grandfathered into the amended ordinance and would not be required to relocate. City of Cullman attorney Luke Satterfield also confirmed the amendments would not be applied to gas stations or convenience stores which sell vape products.

All current and future vape stores would however be subject to new restrictions placed on signage. Similar to the current ordinance on signs related to alcoholic beverages, vape stores would no longer be permitted to advertise the names of any vape products in their windows or on signs/banners outside of the business. Any electronic or LED signs found by the building official to create a danger, interfere with the flow of traffic or deemed to be a nuisance would no longer be permitted.

The council plans to take action on the ordinance at its next meeting scheduled for April 22.

The council also approved a $10 million tax abatement for "Project Canton" which council president Jenny Folsom said involved Rehau. Folsom said the abatement would be for "an equipment investment for a new contract they have," which would lead to the "retention of 47 jobs."

In other business the council:

* Approved a special event request from Logan Brooks of Evolve Fitness to hold a pop-up rhythm cycling event at Depot Park on April 19.

* Approved a special event request from Christy Turner of Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism to hold the annual "Dinner of First" fundraising event in the Warehouse District on May 18.

* Approved a special event request from Kelly Pulliam of CPRST to hold the annual Strawberry Festival in the Special Events District on May 3 and 4.

* Approved a special event request from Karen Hassell of St. John Evangelical Church to hold a 150th Anniversary Celebration on May 5 on 6th Street SE.

* Approved a deduct change order in the amount of $10,000 for scoreboard equipment from Boostr Digital Displays.

* Approved a change order in the amount of $7,650 for additional electrical panels from West Cullman Electric to be installed as part of the Depot Park expansion project.

* Amended the position control for the City of Cullman to change the three part-time Airport lineman positions to two full-time positions.

* Approved the reappointment of Darlene Quick to the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled Board.

* Accepted Sherry Drake's resignation from the Cullman City Planning Commission.

* Appointed Cheryl Harrison to fill Drake's seat on the planning commission. Harrison is also the current president of the Cullman City School Board. Her husband, Ben, is the Cullman Regional Airport Manager and the President of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.