ACTION ALERT for Thursday: Smoke Shops Legislation in SF

Dear Friends,

A proposed ordinance to amend the planning code to restrict stores selling
tobacco paraphernalia, commonly referred to as "Smoke Shops" is before the
planning commission. Currently there are no zoning controls to prevent the
increased proliferation of these stores. This proposed amendment would
allow community input and due process to take place before these stores open
in our neighborhoods. After reviewing the ordinance, the planning department
proposed a set of modifications that kept the intent of the ordinance
intact. Last week the commission passed a motion of intent to disapprove.
A final vote takes place this Thursday.

Due to the timing of this vote, Lower Polk Neighbors has not been able to
discuss or take an official position on this ordinance. If you support
zoning controls for smoke shops and other stores selling "tobacco"
paraphernalia, please read on to find out how you can make a difference.

The planning commission felt that there was not sufficient evidence to
support the planning department's basis for recommendation. The findings
are:

1) San Francisco has witnessed an increase in the number of enterprises
selling paraphernalia, devises, or instruments that are designed and
manufactured for the smoking, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing
into the body of tobacco, products prepared from tobacco, or controlled
substances as defined in California Health and Safety Code Sections 11054.

2) The inordinate number of these enterprises appears to contribute directly
to numerous peace, health, safety, and general welfare problems, including
drug use, drug sales, drug trafficking, other crimes associated with drug
use, loitering, and littering, as well as traffic circulation, parking and
noise problems on public streets and neighborhood lots.

3) The existence of such problems adversely impacts the health, safety, and
welfare of residents of nearby areas, including fear for the safety of
children, elderly and disabled residents, and visitors to San Francisco.

*If you agree with these findings and support zoning controls for Smoke
Shops:*
Attend a Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, July 24th, 2008, The
meeting starts at 1:30pm. Please speak at public comment.

*E-Mail the Planning Commission at*: linda.avery [at] sfgov.org by 11:00 am,
Thursday, July 24th

*For further details on this legislation see document attached below>*

This piece of legislation is so very important in maintaining quality of
life in our San Francisco neighborhoods particularly those that are
challenged by drug abuse and sales. And it is entirely likely that this
legislation will not pass without plenty of public support. Let's try our
very best to make this legislation a reality by taking the
appropriate-immediate action necessary.

*TOGETHER we can*
David James Villa-Lobos, Director
http://www.CommunityLeadershipAlliance.net