In a recent decision, the Salina City Commission voted unanimously to overturn the Planning Commission's denial of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for VIP Smoke Shop. The application, submitted by Ghallab Hamood on behalf of VIP Smoke Shop, sought permission to operate an electronic cigarette establishment and tobacco shop at 2018 S. 9th Street.
The Planning Commission had previously denied the application on February 20, 2024, citing concerns that granting the permit would not contribute to the welfare of the public and could potentially cause harm to surrounding properties. However, Mr. Hamood appealed the decision, leading to a public hearing before the City Commission on March 25, 2024.
After careful consideration of the evidence presented, including staff reports, comments from the applicant, and questions from commissioners, the City Commission opted to return the application to the Planning Commission for further review. The City Commission emphasized the need for the Planning Commission to provide clearer reasoning for its initial denial and to ensure consistency in its decision-making process regarding similar applications.
During the subsequent Planning Commission meeting on April 16, 2024, the application was reconsidered, resulting in a narrow 4-3 vote in favor of approving the Conditional Use Permit. The decision included several conditions aimed at addressing concerns raised during the review process, such as restrictions on signage, age restrictions for patrons, and provisions for ongoing compliance monitoring.
With the Planning Commission's approval, the matter returned to the City Commission for final consideration. The Commissioners passed the consideration in a 5-0 vote.