Athens City Council resumed after its annual July recess on Monday to discuss a cannabis establishment law and approve funding decisions for the Athens Armory Solar Project.
Ordinance 0-65-24, introduced by Councilmember Alan Swank, D-4th Ward, proposes an amendment to Athens City Code Title 23.04, which regulates Athens’ uses for tobacco and cannabis establishments.
The amendment would add to the original law, which prevents licensed cigarette, vapor product or other tobacco product retail dealers from being located within 500 feet of a school, public library, public playground, public park or similar establishment retail dealers. The amendment would add churches as another specified establishment that retail dealers must remain at least 500 feet away.
“What I’m proposing this evening is to simply insert one word [churches] in five different places,” Swank said. “It’s very, very simple.”
Swank said including churches would be consistent with the Ohio Revised Code for alcohol, which denotes that tobacco and cannabis establishments must be 500 feet away from churches and the previously mentioned spaces.
The Council did not vote on or adopt the amendment and will be further discussed in upcoming meetings.
“With these establishments opening up tomorrow, the sooner we can get this on the books, the better,” Swank said.
Along with the discussion of this ordinance, the Planning Commission discussed recommendations for the city zoning code regarding tobacco and cannabis establishments.
Ongoing renovations to the Athens Armory, an Athens historical landmark, were also discussed.
“The armory is now barreling along with the renovations there, which is great news,” Mayor Steve Patterson said.
According to Patterson, the project is set to be completed in early October.
The Athens Armory Solar Project, which focuses on developing rooftop solar devices and supportive roof structures for the renovated building, was also discussed.
Ordinances to authorize an interfund transfer from Athens’ carbon fee expenditure and accept a community grant to fund the Athens Armory Solar Project was adopted during the meeting.
According to a previous Post report, once renovations are complete, the Athens Armory will be redeveloped as a community and business center.
