[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6536551,"mediaKeyId","3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5","parentId",3773898,"title","Toledo plan staff recommends wider buffers and retail licensing for tobacco shops; industry warns litigation may bar local rules","audioSeconds",363,"startMs",3011000,"endMs",3374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5&start=3011&end=3374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5/thumbnail_3011000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536551/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-plan-staff-recommends-wider-buffers-and-retail-licensing-for-tobacco-shops-industry-warns-litigation-may-bar-local-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536551-df4254530532988203e45b1297f9fe53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987191&Signature=HhTMCi5UpOt7Q24SblX0fA1kN3wkH0wrqLhdLrvaw2DUiIn3N5ltF0hOTvuxMfa5Vj7U3Id-Q0mGsjofQpeaXZCqOMBwxV-8zdNSmMFo8FnAl314McW8azTStsXtm-fZPKpEpV7AViAclEogUFqmFderByqhkgbayJHvItvHYjIjyJVo7oCoDpimeusNtxgGuQfxP0FMpfcfhN1vmsZv8M7XhYa10~yL9W8~Xe4BddhLapfKuIGFqDYu4mbZb6MoeOxWp4e-EZbZEO3rzYTSqDoVbFRnID5oVfTjr25WA6Eeb1942LnztjKRZyXnlm5DbyXVmW-ouj83sWReJLKZfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Toledo","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","City planning staff told the Zoning and Planning Committee on June 11 that a study of tobacco retailers supports new locational restrictions and consideration of a city tobacco‑retail license to reduce youth access and concentrate regulation.

Planner Aleah Bichon summarized the staff analysis: of 345 retailers holding a Lucas County cigarette license between June–November 2024, 24 were classified as tobacco specialty shops (about 7 percent). Staff reported that tobacco shops cluster differently than other tobacco retailers and recommended raising the buffer from youth‑related uses from 500 feet to 1,000 feet and imposing 2,000‑foot spacing between tobacco shops. The staff packet included a buffer map showing where tobacco shops would be allowed under the proposal.

The staff also recommended the council consider establishing a licensing requirement for all tobacco retailers to improve monitoring, enable graduated penalties, and reduce density in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Bichon noted that Toledo currently is more restrictive than peer cities: “Toledo is the only city found in Ohio that requires special use permits or conditional zoning for tobacco shops,” she said.

Health advocates supported additional local controls. Wendy Hyde of the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation said local tobacco retail licensing allows graduated enforcement and sustained compliance checks, and noted the foundation is offering technical and financial support for cities that adopt licensing.

Industry representatives urged caution. Kevin Schimpf of Dickinson Wright, speaking for Wild Bill's Tobacco, asked the city to delay new local rules pending resolution of litigation over Ohio Revised Code section 9.681, which the firm says preempts local regulation of tobacco sales; he noted the city of Toledo is a party to the pending appeal. Robert Zura, legal counsel for Rob Lowe's Tobacco, disputed staff interpretations of the data and said specialty tobacco shops make up a small share of retailers and that the report itself shows specialty shops are more likely to be in higher‑income, lower‑density areas.

City council members expressed divergent views in public remarks. Councilwoman Williams said she supported additional restrictions, citing community health and historical targeting of tobacco retailers to disadvantaged neighborhoods; Councilmember Comas emphasized home‑rule authority and signaled support for local regulation but noted legal risk.

The Plan Commission recommended approval of the study and the zoning committee recommended moving the study forward and holding a subsequent public hearing — staff said further legislation on permitting and enforcement is expected and that a hearing is likely in July. Staff also offered to supply the addresses of current tobacco retailers to council members on referral.

Next steps: committee recommended approval of the study; staff will circulate retailer addresses on referral and expects to bring specific ordinance language and implementation details to council in a subsequent session for hearings and review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Toledo - Zoning & Planning Committee on 2025-06-11 4:00 PM - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff proposed increasing spacing between tobacco shops and youth‑oriented uses and recommended the city consider licensing all tobacco retailers. Health advocates urged local licensing; industry lawyers pointed to pending state preemption litigation.","taxTitle","Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio","taxId",2665,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536555,"Committee backs license requirement for electronic gaming parlors tied to state permits",235,2318000,2553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5&start=2318&end=2553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","/articles/6536555/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Committee-backs-license-requirement-for-electronic-gaming-parlors-tied-to-state-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536555-b5e548fe3eba38dffe75d92cbc2fccd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987191&Signature=F-VBxTfiAgIuEXdv9y5nWTETPvGGVgmMcWDm2ILVJ3KQ3NmisGHdUkksJZwNFJNARlaP9V4DsT8ghxCMfQnNk6fIKBViCMbq50nZZUGrUMzvo9vLS62zeqvPmEsH90Esng2v~4MLb2zTle~NYvJlCwEcRPq9KyYiDEGcPEb6LnOEpL6FB9tNL9t-NX35k5MAlVt9Ig0P~0D9bwCG--K4oj6Fq-mFIrps-8CRDCvh67WjaP9mqI3BPVGac74WknLPRELCMD2dubM7eT7AJOk06v9clyZXmDzJYD~HCb0PjglYjlhMnkUYxP04lSrkgjcjrPewy-xCWAanaz-60QOHLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Zoning and Planning Committee on June 11 recommended approval of a municipal code change that would recast sweepstakes terminal cafes and similar venues as “electronic gaming parlors” and require proof of a state license before the city issues its own license.

Planning staff author Alex Schultz told the committee the change is intended to align the city’s licensing with state enforcement regimes. “In order to get an electronic gaming parlor license, you must show the business ... that you have a license to the state of Ohio,” Schultz said. The amendment would eliminate the special‑use permit step for such businesses, leaving local compliance and enforcement to the city’s licensing and zoning enforcement staff.

Why it matters: Internet cafes, sweepstakes and skill‑game operations have been the subject of enforcement actions in Ohio. The proposed local rule mirrors state definitions and would require operators to hold the corresponding state license — either through the Ohio Attorney General’s sweepstakes licensing or the Ohio Casino Control Commission for games of skill — before opening or renewing a city license.

Committee members asked whether common family‑oriented venues would be caught by the definition; staff said businesses like Dave & Buster’s that already hold state licenses would be treated as compliant. Councilwoman Williams asked when enforcement began; staff said enforcement complaints were received several months ago and the licensing requirement would be enforced through the city’s new zoning enforcement team. Unlicensed operators would receive a warning letter (staff cited a 30‑ to 40‑day notice window) and, if noncompliant, could be prevented from opening.

No members of the public spoke on the amendment during the committee hearing. The planning commission had recommended approval; the zoning committee recommended forwarding the amendment to full council as recommended.","The committee recommended a text amendment that would rename sweepstakes/similar businesses as \"electronic gaming parlors\" and require city applicants to show a state license before receiving a city license; planning commission recommended approval and committee forwarded to council.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536559,"Toledo committee pauses downtown parking-lot design rules pending funding, outreach",1078,216000,1294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5&start=216&end=1294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773898-6caee9f04c2234e6d0bc8eaed11972c5/thumbnail_216000.jpg","/articles/6536559/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-committee-pauses-downtown-parking-lot-design-rules-pending-funding-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536559-892e8ba1a4a6000c92079e2d4a81b147/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987191&Signature=XhG9IMIV5KHzT-q046vjdl7z-4k4ud8yNF3MuOX7IiUqSRe-ecMLPZetKcMp4-YPzJITB8r2Gr3a7~ELxbnADaxlcq~qAqWNoaogtShFpEl-HJdk3mMwwOwl7abFUuolrIIMAaSYQJ39yYMWcJZvaIKcYTrXGIdJQRAH4WtDaFWDI6wUgWkflmvuYI5PwZ4kpWB4AnODipFlbMqAL5XyIeSfMq981apI9ueqYhWZa4EiGyz6PHM0I4u7jI00noEoBTP85avMIjY9hoybja2SmCJUslkp~XDpSd2vGSbGC2YJx94x4qyOiG46DrcGd5l3G0aZm3l~-Fy-kknQ9tQSow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Toledo Zoning and Planning Committee on June 11 heard extended testimony and public comment on a proposed text amendment to Toledo Municipal Code (TMC) that would require design standards for surface parking lots in the Downtown Overlay and Warehouse Districts. Staff author Alex Schultz said the amendment would transfer design‑review authority to the Downtown Parking Lot Review and Improvement Advisory Committee (DePolriac) and set staged compliance deadlines tied to business license renewals.

The planning staff presentation said non‑accessory parking lots — defined in the amendment as lots where users pay monthly, hourly or event fees — would be required to meet design criteria by zone: Zone 1 by April 1, 2027; Zone 2 by April 1, 2028; and Zone 3 by April 1, 2029. “If you haven't gotten your design criteria in by your license renewal date, you won't get your new license,” Schultz said, describing enforcement through the licensing process.

Why it matters: the change would affect commercial parking operators who charge for spaces and could require brick pillars, decorative fencing and other improvements that owners say reduce available stalls and impose significant private costs. Speakers representing lot owners and operators urged safeguards, funding and grandfathering for existing improvements.

Several downtown parking owners said the measure would impose heavy, uncompensated costs. Jonathan Cherry, managing partner of BCA Parking LLC, asked the committee why the requirement “is not taking our property without compensation,” and urged that an exemption for properties in the industrial northern overlay not be retained in the final code language for his parcel.

Michael Miller, president and CEO of Quick Parking and chair of DePolriac, supported beautification but said a funding promise from 2019 has not materialized. “In 2019 when this passed, there was a promise of funding for the parking lot owners. That funding has not been set up,” Miller said, urging the committee to confirm whether Port Authority financing remains available. City staff acknowledged an earlier Port Authority mechanism had been discussed; the current status was not specified.

Owners and operators raised safety and functional concerns as well. Ted Vidoras, a long‑time small operator, warned that “caging in the parking lots is a horrible idea,” arguing enclosed or heavily fenced lots could reduce visibility and create safety risks for customers and attendants.

Staff and advocates described flexibility baked into the proposal: the DePolriac would be empowered to consider waivers or modifications “if it meets the spirit and intent of the criteria” and to grant timeline extensions where needed, Schultz said. Properties already accessory to a use and providing free parking would be grandfathered, staff said.

Council members pressed staff for a communication plan and for a clearer funding commitment. Councilwoman Gattis asked whether council members representing affected districts would be kept informed; staff said renewal notices could carry compliance reminders and agreed to provide district council members copies of outreach materials. Council members also requested a written update from the Port Authority on the previously discussed financing mechanism and its availability.

Because committee members said they had remaining questions about funding, enforcement and the details of zone mapping, the committee kept the item in committee rather than forwarding it to full council. The planning commission had previously recommended approval; the zoning committee will revisit the amendment after staff provides the requested financial and outreach information.

Next steps: staff will follow up with the Port Authority and provide a written communication plan and the zone map to council members; the committee will return the item to the agenda once those items are supplied.","A proposed text amendment that would require design upgrades for non‑accessory downtown parking lots drew concern from lot owners and operators about cost, enforcement and safety. The zoning committee held the item in committee pending answers about financing and communication plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Toledo plan staff recommends wider buffers and retail licensing for tobacco shops; industry warns litigation may bar local rules

Committee backs license requirement for electronic gaming parlors tied to state permits

Toledo committee pauses downtown parking-lot design rules pending funding, outreach