The Salem City Council held a public hearing to discuss changes to zoning laws related to smoke shops and retail sales. The proposed amendments affect various sections of the city’s zoning code. The Planning Commission has recommended approval, and the hearing was advertised in the Salem Times-Register on September 19 and 26. The council voted yes on the motion.
Mary Ellen Wines from Salem’s Planning and Zoning spoke during the hearing to explain the need for the ordinance updates. “The Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation that allows localities to regulate vape stores and other alternative tobacco stores. This law became effective July 1,” said Wines. “Basically what has happened is the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation that allows localities to regulate vape stores, any alternative tobacco stores, cigarette stores, vape stores, as we all know them, that became effective July 1”. Wines continued, “so what staff is proposing is that we create a commercial use type retail sales, smoke shops, that differentiate from our normal retail sales. And what that does is allow us to put a couple of useful design standards on there. Staff has asked that we add and use some design standard that would keep their windows translucent so you can see through them, not let them cover them up to be solid for safety personnel, so that they can have a better look inside.”
“But also, we don’t want the merchandise that could possibly be displayed by those businesses available for public view from adjacent properties, so kids walking home from school can’t necessarily see the different types of merchandise that could be seen.” Wines said, “So it’s kind of a balancing act of we don’t want you to cover your windows, but we don’t want you to put a lot of merchandise in them, either, so that use and design standard is in there as well.”
“We do have several vape shops. Smoke shops currently, those that continue to operate will be considered legal, non conforming once the if approved and takes effect. But if they were to vacate the business for two years or longer, like any other type of grandfathering, then they would have to fall under the new regulations. I did forget to mention that it would be by special exception in our highway business district only that they would be allowed,” Wines explained. “So it wouldn’t be in our downtown district. It wouldn’t be on the periphery of residential neighborhoods had only been our highway business district, and you all would have to approve their actual location.”
Also in new business was heard by council. During the public hearing Teresa Sizemore voiced her views to the council regarding the School Board appointments for the expiring terms ending December 31, 2024 of two members of the City of Salem School Board.
Teresa Sizemore, greeted the council then began: “As you may know, I’ve had three sons. My oldest was in the gifted program and graduated from Salem High School and is now a teacher and band director in Charlottesville, Virginia. My middle son had an IEP, went through the CEP program and is thriving in the local business, doing exceptional. My youngest son is the average student, extremely social, extremely eighth grader. Since Sizemore has had children in the school system at all levels, she has an idea of what the children need. Sizemore continued: I know what we’ve improved in and what we can continue to improve in while we’ve came a long way, there’s always room to grow, no matter who you are or where you are what school system it is.”
“I am most proud of my work in support of the CTE (Career Technical Education) program and the work with the profile of a graduate, which some of you also participated in. I know how important it is to make sure that every child has a path for graduation. I’ve even assisted the Salem Educational Foundation and establishing scholarships now for trade schools. So now it’s not just for college path. They also offer scholarships for those with trades.” Sizemore said that during her term on the school board, “we’ve created new positions in administrative and central office, as well as moved several positions and changed a lot of administrative positions. To say I was busy the last three years, or the whole board was, is an understatement.”
“So I think you all can can vouch that I do work well under pressure. “We still have a long way to go. I can take pride that I do take the time to listen. Can’t always solve everyone’s problems. I had to learn that early on, but I can at least listen and make them feel heard and come back and get the truth of what we can really do to to make sure they do feel heard.” Sizemore wrapped it by saying “Our SOL scores have went from 38th to 21st in the state over the last three years. I do not feel that I’m done. Even three years has flown by, and I feel like I still have a lot of good to offer the school board, and I would love a chance to continue with another term. I don’t think I’m stagnant just yet.” Sizemore said. Then finally to the council: “You’ll see my letter of intent, my resume and letter of recommendation from a former assistant superintendent. Thank you.”
Photo by Edmee CR Hasler
Teresa Sizemore speaks at the Salem City Council meeting.
