By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
At its meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3, Toledo City Council will review two proposals pertaining to convenience stores within the city. One would require a license to operate a convenience store with the aim of addressing nuisance complaints at some locations. The other would request examination of removing the spacing radius required between these stores with the aim of supporting more competition.
Under the license proposal, applicants would pay $250 annually per location and be required to provide their name and residence, history of operating previous stores, a certificate of tax compliance, verification of compliance with zoning and building codes, and a criminal background check. Applicants cannot have a conviction related to operating a store, including crimes involving controlled substances and alcohol, within the past two years.
License holders would be required to keep compliant with zoning and building codes, as well as health, fire, liquor, and tobacco laws; report criminal violations on the premises; and maintain lighting and surveillance cameras. Those operating a convenience store without a license would be guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor. Violations by those holding a license would be subject to a civil administrative fine of $100 per violation.
The spacing radius proposal would request the Toledo Plan Commission to examine eliminating the requirement that convenience stores be spaced 2,000 feet from one another. The requirement is meant to control the number and location of these stores and was first enacted in 1993, then removed in 2004, and then re-enacted in 2009. After receiving the Plan Commission’s recommendation, the proposal would return to City Council for its consideration of removing the requirement.
The Chamber is reviewing both convenience store proposals due to their potential impact on these businesses and on Toledo’s regulatory environment and overall business image. Toledo City Council meetings can be attended in person and are held in Council Chambers at One Government Center along Jackson Boulevard in downtown Toledo. Sessions can also be viewed via video on the city's website.
License holders would be required to keep compliant with zoning and building codes, as well as health, fire, liquor, and tobacco laws; report criminal violations on the premises; and maintain lighting and surveillance cameras. Those operating a convenience store without a license would be guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor. Violations by those holding a license would be subject to a civil administrative fine of $100 per violation.
The spacing radius proposal would request the Toledo Plan Commission to examine eliminating the requirement that convenience stores be spaced 2,000 feet from one another. The requirement is meant to control the number and location of these stores and was first enacted in 1993, then removed in 2004, and then re-enacted in 2009. After receiving the Plan Commission’s recommendation, the proposal would return to City Council for its consideration of removing the requirement.
The Chamber is reviewing both convenience store proposals due to their potential impact on these businesses and on Toledo’s regulatory environment and overall business image. Toledo City Council meetings can be attended in person and are held in Council Chambers at One Government Center along Jackson Boulevard in downtown Toledo. Sessions can also be viewed via video on the city's website.
 | Tim Schneider As Manager for Local Government Advocacy, Tim Schneider advocates for local policies and laws that safeguard and foster a pro-business environment in the Toledo Region. Tim has more than 10 years of legislative and public policy experience with the local, state and federal levels of government. |
RSS Feed
