Town Council Committed to Regulating Vape Shops and Requesting Additional Health Care Providers

On Monday, September 9, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Front Royal Town Hall at 102 East Main Street, the Front Royal Town Council met for a work session in which they transacted a wide variety of business. On their agenda was a virtual report from VDOT about projected roadway improvements in the 340/522 corridor as it pertains to the portion within town limits, a presentation of two awards of contract that came out of a bidding process, a budget amendment for the police department, and a discussion of the topics for the October 17 liaison meeting with the County. Two items that received focused discussion were the possibility of an ordinance to regulate vape shops and a resolution requesting additional healthcare providers.

Town Council gathers for a work session on Monday evening. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

It’s not just a Front Royal thing, said Mayor Lori Cockrell. The proliferation of vape shops is a statewide problem. While serving the Town, she saw the number of vape shops in Front Royal mushroom, from three to approximately seventeen. The focus of Monday night’s discussion of vape shops was an existing ordinance passed in 2020 for Quantico regulating vape shops. One of the most effective ways to do so is to regulate the zones in which they are permitted and the precise location. The Quantico ordinance reads: “vape shops can only be permitted in the BUSINESS zoning district (B1)”. It goes on to say: “Vape shops shall not be located within 1,000 feet, measured property line to property line, from a school (public or private), family day care home, child care facility, youth center, community center, recreational facility, park, church or religious institution, or other similar uses where children regularly gather.”

It is these kinds of limitations that the Front Royal Town Council wants to begin implementing in this community. Councilwoman Amber Morris lamented that even if such limitations are implemented, they will not impact the location of seventeen-some shops that have been “grandfathered in.” Normally an advocate of the free market, Morris says it goes against her modus operandi to introduce governmental regulations into the local economy. However, because of this community’s health, safety, and welfare, it has become sadly necessary. Quantico’s ordinance reads: “Many of the electronic cigarettes and vapor products sold today have not been reviewed by the Federal Drug Administration to determine if they are appropriate for the public health.” The Quantico ordinance also prohibits minors from being present without adult guardians inside these shops or transacting any sale. Having received direction from the council at Monday night’s meeting, Town Attorney George Sonnett will craft an ordinance that may emulate key features of the Quantico ordinance while adjusting it to meet Front Royal’s unique requirements. The council will vote on that ordinance whenever it comes to fruition.

Manager of Purchasing Michelle Campbell presents two contract awards to the council for approval at the September 23 regular meeting.

The council’s discussion of a resolution to request additional healthcare providers painted a dismal picture of a crisis in the Front Royal/Warren County region and reflects a systemic problem in portions of the Shenandoah Valley. It is not uncommon now to need an appointment for emergencies. It is also not uncommon to see a lack of maternity services. The health of mothers and babies is being pushed to the front of these discussions. On August 20, the Warren County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution like the one presented to the town council by citizen and school board member Melanie Salins at the council’s regular meeting on July 22. The resolution presented by Salins was then discussed by the council at an August 5 work session and is slated to be discussed at the October 17 Town/County liaison committee meeting.

Having transacted business old and new, the council went into closed session at 8:30 p.m.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Town Council Work Session of September 9, 2024.