Southport Board of Aldermen approves zoning ordinance change for vape/tobacco shops

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The Southport Board of Aldermen held their monthly meeting on Thursday, where two major topics were discussed.

Brunswick County Superintendent Dale Cole gave a presentation about the $340 million bond referendum on this November’s ballot.

Cole has spoken to municipalities across the county, educating them about what is included in the bond.

The bond primarily consists of funding for the construction of two new schools in the northern area of Brunswick County.

The referendum does not consist of any major upgrades for Southport Elementary School.

The board also held a public hearing about possible changes to the city’s unified development ordinance regarding “vape and tobacco shops.”

Alderman Paul Gross said he was concerned about the language used for the ordinance, primarily the use of the words “drug paraphernalia.”

He asked for the word “drug” to be replaced with “tobacco.”

The board unanimously approved the zoning ordinance, limiting those shops to the city’s highway commercial district.

It also prevents them from being built within 500 feet of a school or church and out of the historic downtown area.