Highland Park Smoke Shop Zoning Code Changes To Be Considered

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — City planning commissioners are due to consider whether to recommend changes to the Highland Park zoning code concerning the retail sale of tobacco, smoking and vaping products.

The Plan and Design Commission is scheduled to convene a public hearing Tuesday to determine whether to suggest zoning code amendments banning or further regulating the use of commercial real estate property by tobacco retailers, city staff announced.

Potential new regulations could affect any business that sells tobacco products, e-cigarettes, smoking and vaping paraphernalia, as well as "kratom, delta9, and other similar products, in the various zoning districts of Highland Park, and specifically as well as such other regulations as may be necessary, important, or beneficial," according to a notice from city staff.

The Highland Park zoning code currently requires a license to sell "tobacco products or e-cigarettes in any form or in any number."

Retailers must also acquire a $500 annual city-issued license for the retail sale of tobacco, or to operate a cigarette vending machine. Failure to obtain a license is a $150 fine, as is selling tobacco products to a minor.

Smoking is only allowed inside tobacco stores that had established smoking areas "in existence and operational as of April 25, 2005."

Patch requested data regarding the number of currently active retail tobacco licenses from a city representative. Any information received will be added here.

City staff encouraged residents, business owners, property owners and other community members to share feedback about potential changes.

The meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave. Members of the public may share comments ahead of the meeting via email or during the hearing.