Opelika council approves new regulations for hemp stores

The Opelika City Council approved new regulations for hemp stores during its regular Tuesday meeting.

In the ordinance, no hemp stores shall be permitted within a radius of 1,500 feet of any other hemp store, and no sales shall be conducted through a walk-up window or drive-through.

The ordinance also states that hemp stores are only allowed in shopping centers that contain three or more commercial tenants with a mix of grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants or consumer goods stores; or contains at least 14,000 square feet of gross floor area.

The purpose of this ordinance is "to regulate hemp stores, which may have secondary effects on the neighboring areas and the community as a whole," according to city documents.

Other council business

•„ The city council approved an alcohol license for King 426 Inc.

• „The city council approved downtown street closure requests for the 6th Annual Glow for Epilepsy event on Nov. 1 and the Christmas Parade, Snopelka and Tree Lighting event on Dec. 4.

„• The city council approved a purchase/emergency repair for the Eastside Water Waste Treatment Plant.

•„ The city council approved an annual Excess Loss Insurance contract with Wellpoint.

•„ The city council approved an annual General Liability Insurance agreement with Marsh & McLennan Agency.

•„ The city council approved a new job description for the Library Programming and Outreach Coordinator.

•„ The city council approved reclassifying the pay grade for the Classification of OPS.

•„ The city council approved updated pay plans for the City of Opelika employees.

„• The city council approved expense reports from various departments.

•„ The city council approved the annual appropriation contract for FY2026 with the Employer's Child Care Alliance.

„• The city council approved a special appropriation contract for the National Night Out event on Oct. 6.

•„ The city council approved a special appropriation contract for the annual Health Fair at the Opelika Sportsplex on Oct. 13.

•„ The city council appointed Mark Ennis to the Board of Adjustments & Appeals.

•„ The city council reappointed Raymond Williams to the Board of Adjustments & Appeals.

•„ The city council reappointed Kenneth Burton to the Lee County Youth Development Center Board.

•„ The city council approved a right-of-way Encroachment Agreement with East Alabama Health Care Authority for Medical Arts Parking on 1st Avenue.

•„ The city council approved weed abatement assessments at 509 1st Ave., 208 Cedar Creek Drive, 1520 Clanton St. and 1408 Magnolia St.

•„ The city council approved leasing a portion of 1103 Glenn St. to the Lee-Russell Council of Governments for the senior center.

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