Review and approval of an application for a Waiver of Distance, submitted by Property Owner and Applicant S&M Smoke Shop LLC, to establish 4COP - Beer, Wine, and Liquor; sale by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers to add a lounge at their existing Tobacco Shop at 1001 S US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL.  The property is zoned General Commercial (C-3), (Parcel ID 2415-601-0180-000-0).

• The Smoke Shop is a new tobacco store which is seeking to expand its operation to include a lounge, and retail beverage component to serve alcohol on-site, and sell cigar and alcohol pairing to customers. The current retail operation opened in mid-2015, after purchase and renovations to the former Coast Gas showroom and service center.
• The request is to secure a 4COP - Beer, Wine, and Liquor License to offer sales by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers at the subject location, with intended hours of operation of 10 AM to 7 PM, Monday – Saturday, and 11 AM to 7 PM on Sunday.
• The proposed establishment is a cigar bar and lounge occupying approximately 4,300 square feet with seating for approximately twenty-five (25) guests and overall capacity for fifty (50).
• The subject site provides twenty-six (26) parking spaces on-site for customers, exceeding the City Code requirement.  Minor landscaping infill is required to enhance the buffering between the commercial parking lot and adjacent sites.
• A total of 39 notifications of the proposed Conditional Use were mailed to the owners of property located within 500 feet of the subject property.  As of January 22, 2016, 0 responses have been received. An update will be provided to the City Commission at the public hearing.
• The Planning Board, at their January 12, 2016 meeting, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request with the recommended conditions presented by Staff.

The requested Waiver of Distance is consistent with City Code, the Comprehensive Plan, and does not adversely affect the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare; therefore Staff recommends approval of the requested Waiver of Distance with the following conditions:
 1) The applicant provides a site lighting assessment to ensure the site lighting meets the minimum  average of three (3) footcandles, as required by City Code, and upgrade the lighting if necessary,  prior to release of the alcohol license; and

 2) The applicant completes landscape improvements along the southern property line to bring the  site landscaping into compliance, further improving the buffer between the site and abutting  residential homes.

 

• Approval with alternative conditions
• Denial

Kori Benton, Senior Planner

The Technical Review Committee