Retailers with tobacco as primary business excluded from opening in downtown Libertyville

Retailers whose principal products are tobacco, electronic cigarettes or other smoking supplies have been excluded from operating in downtown Libertyville.

The village board last week approved an ordinance, effective immediately, that prohibits sales of those products as a principal use in the downtown core and neighboring commercial area.

According to village materials, with the continued expansion in sales of products such as electronic cigarettes and alternatives to tobacco there also has been an increased demand for retailers to sell them.

Village staff called for an amendment to local code to regulate these types of uses to protect the historic character and “maintain a compatible mix of uses consistent with the nature” of the downtown C-1 and adjoining C-2 zoning districts.

Though apparently not tied to a specific proposal, the prohibition was needed as many historic buildings are located and community-centered activities occur in those districts, according to the request.

The village has been getting more inquires about those uses and how code addressed that trend and interest was evaluated.

“Trends in retail change,” said Heather Rowe, community development director.

The advisory plan commission reviewed the request and recommended approval 6-0.

According to the plan commission report, those two zoning districts are intended to serve as “the historic core” of the village with an emphasis on preserving Libertyville's historic character.

That intent is coupled with the promotion of uses and businesses “consistent and compatible with the existing nature of these districts” and activities in and around Cook Park.

Tobacco stores as a principal use with accessory sales of e-cigarettes and related products will continue to be permitted in the C-3 and C-4 commercial zoning districts.

And existing businesses selling tobacco products as an accessory to their main use, such as gas stations and liquor stores, would still be able to do so.