Augusta could lead the state with strongest rules for vape shops

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - 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 concernsIn 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.Adleasia Cameron told the Planning Commission what officials found.“What we discovered from a business that was anticipating opening – we not only discovered they put up illegal signs, they were moving in...,” Cameron said.Braswell said changes to cit