Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Regular Meeting and Public Hearing - October 6, 2026

The Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing held a public hearing and regular meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. The sole agenda item was a resolution to create a Tobacco Sales Permitting Program (Item No. 37257). After one public comment, staff presentation, and committee discussion, the committee voted to refer the resolution to the full Common Council with a favorable recommendation, adopting amended substitute language.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Antoinette, a 30-year resident of New Britain and concerned citizen, expressed strong support for the resolution. She shared her personal observations of youth smoking and vaping during her own school years and cited the 2026 Youth Voices Count survey as confirming ongoing concerns about youth access to tobacco and nicotine products. She urged the committee to act proactively to prevent youth use, referencing Connecticut Public Act 26100 which limits permits based on population density.

Discussion Items

• The committee received a presentation from a staff member (Health Department) explaining the proposed licensing program. The program aims to: (1) monitor tobacco sales to limit youth access, and (2) work in tandem with previously approved zoning changes regarding smoke shops. Key statistics from the Youth Voices Count survey (grades 6–12, sample size over 2,000 students) were highlighted:
  • 91% of students perceive parental disapproval of cigarette smoking; 90% perceive disapproval of vaping nicotine.
  • 81% perceive peer disapproval of smoking; 76% perceive peer disapproval of vaping.
  • 74% perceive risk of harm from smoking; 74% perceive risk from vaping (inversely, 25% do not perceive harm).
  • 42% of high school students (grades 9–12) report not using vaping products because they do not know how to obtain them.
• The licensing program would require annual permits, inspections, and enforcement by the Health Department, working with state partners and police (using underage compliance checks). The effective date is set for April 1, 2027, to allow time for public education and to avoid overlap with other licensing cycles.
• Committee members discussed the scope of the regulation (any retailer selling tobacco or vaping products, not limited to smoke shops). Alderman McNamara clarified that the zoning threshold (10% of retail sales in tobacco/vape products) determines whether a store is regulated as a smoke shop under zoning, but all cigarette sellers would be covered by the permitting program.
• Alderman Barbosa raised concerns about smoke shops selling cannabis; staff clarified this ordinance does not address cannabis sales, which would be referred to state or local law enforcement.
• Alderman Santiago questioned permit fees and the timeline for existing stores to apply; staff confirmed a notice campaign and that new establishments must apply as of April 1, 2027.
• Alderman Malinowski asked about enforcement against unlicensed establishments; staff stated that partnerships with state agencies are being developed, with referrals planned.
• Alderman Gibson asked about an appeal process; staff confirmed that appeals would follow the standard citation process defined in Code Section 1-17, which was recently updated by the council.
• A procedural discussion occurred regarding the substitution of resolution language. Initially, the committee handled it as a substitute, but later recognized that the council had referred the original, requiring a formal amendment. A motion was made and carried to strike all and insert the substitute language. The approved substitute included clarified appeal language on page 5.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted unanimously (ayes all, no nays) to adopt the substitute language via a strike-all amendment.
• The committee then voted unanimously (ayes all, no nays) to refer the amended resolution (Item No. 37257) to the Common Council with a favorable recommendation.
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 PM.