The Bellevue Planning & Zoning Commission met to discuss zoning text amendments related to vape and tobacco stores. The proposed amendments aimed to define key terms such as electronic smoking devices, vape shops, and tobacco retailers while establishing regulations for where these businesses can operate. The commission considered allowing vape and tobacco stores only within shopping center (SC) zones, with possible conditions such as operating hours from 6 AM to 10 PM and a minimum 1,200-foot distance from schools and daycare centers. A key discussion centered on whether the definitions in the proposed amendment aligned with Kentucky state law (KRS). Some commissioners raised concerns that Bellevue's definitions conflicted with existing state statutes, potentially creating legal issues. The commission debated whether to remove nicotine-specific language from the definitions to ensure broader regulation of smoking-related products. Additionally, council members discussed the potential expansion of the shopping center zoning district to include the Donnermeyer corridor, which houses businesses like Kroger and Big Lots. The expansion would create more designated space for vape and tobacco stores while keeping them separate from Bellevue’s historic district. The commission also debated whether the regulations should match existing restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries to maintain consistency. Due to these outstanding concerns, the commission voted to continue the discussion at a future meeting to refine the language and zoning boundaries before making a final recommendation to the city council. Disclaimer: This summary was generated using AI and may not capture all meeting nuances or discussions.