Augusta planners on Monday backed a proposed zoning amendment that would require 5,000 feet of separation between vape shops and schools, churches and other existing smoke shops.

The proposal follows a resident’s complaint about a smoke shop planned less than 500 feet from Glenn Hills Elementary.

The proposed amendment now heads to the full Augusta Commission.

Resident raises concerns

In September, signs for a new smoke shop caught Monique Braswell’s attention on her daily drive home.

The site is less than 500 feet from Glenn Hills Elementary. Braswell took her concerns to commissioners.

Inspectors issued a stop-work order for the site. The order was for building without permits, not because of the school’s location.

Read more at WRDW.