Toledo Moves Ahead With Plan to Freeze C-Store Permits
TOLEDO, Ohio -- Following up on a story first reported by CSNews Online on August 16, the Toledo City Council has approved a 180-day moratorium on new convenience store permits. Only one councilman cast a dissenting vote.
The Toledo Plan Commission had asked the council to institute a moratorium on the approval for c-store permits to sell alcohol and cigarettes, in an effort to reduce illegal activities in the neighborhoods they serve, the Toledo Blade reported.
The six-month ban on new permits comes from complaints from residents in the community that such stores are a social nuisance and promote alcoholism, drug abuse and various crimes, including prostitution, the newspaper said.
During the 180-day period, the city will study the issues surrounding convenience stores and the ban's implications on the city, according to the initial report.
Najah Jarouche, whose husband owns a Dairy Mart in the area; told the Toledo Blade that a ban against new permits for convenience stores selling alcohol and cigarettes doesn't make sense. "We're not forcing them to buy this stuff," she said. "If there's no convenience store, then they'll go to the grocery store."
The Toledo Plan Commission had asked the council to institute a moratorium on the approval for c-store permits to sell alcohol and cigarettes, in an effort to reduce illegal activities in the neighborhoods they serve, the Toledo Blade reported.
The six-month ban on new permits comes from complaints from residents in the community that such stores are a social nuisance and promote alcoholism, drug abuse and various crimes, including prostitution, the newspaper said.
During the 180-day period, the city will study the issues surrounding convenience stores and the ban's implications on the city, according to the initial report.
Najah Jarouche, whose husband owns a Dairy Mart in the area; told the Toledo Blade that a ban against new permits for convenience stores selling alcohol and cigarettes doesn't make sense. "We're not forcing them to buy this stuff," she said. "If there's no convenience store, then they'll go to the grocery store."