ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County commissioners are slated to discuss a proposal Tuesday that would establish a buffer zone between smoke shops and schools.
Commissioner Nicole Wilson’s proposal would amend Orange County code in order to address the permitted use of “tobacco shops” in all commercial zoning districts.
“What we’re doing is trying to protect young people,” Wilson told News 6 Monday, a day ahead of a regularly-scheduled Orange County Commission meeting.
The proposal includes the establishment of a 1,000 feet buffer between smoke shops and public and private schools.
Wilson said she got the idea for the proposal after fielding complaints from constituents who were concerned about a smoke shop that opened near Olympia High School in Wilson’s district.
“I will tell you that they have been a real sore point for many of the families that live there,” Wilson said of the shop. “I think the teachers, the students, and parents have all reached out over these last couple years about the concern of that location.”
News 6 reached out to the owner of the shop via email Monday, but we have not yet heard back.
“Being able to protect our young people is really the goal here,” Wilson said. “It’s not to put anybody out of business.”
Wilson clarified that shops like the one near Olympia would be grandfathered into any new ordinance.
“This update is more about not letting businesses be directed to areas that are so close to schools where we know there’ll be foot traffic,” Wilson said, explaining that the ordinance would apply to any future smoke shop set to open.
Commissioners will not be taking any vote on Wilson’s proposal during Tuesday’s meeting, but rather will discuss ironing out the precise language for a proposed ordinance.