JAMES CITY COUNTY – The James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted June 9 to deny a special use permit for a proposed tobacco and vape shop in Williamsburg Crossing Shopping Center, citing concerns about its proximity to Greenwood Christian Academy.
Although county staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval, parents, school officials and residents urged supervisors to reject the application because of its location near the private school.
The application was submitted before the county began considering a zoning amendment that would prohibit vape and smoke shops within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare. While that ordinance has not yet been adopted, county staff noted the proposed business would fall within the proposed buffer.
Tobacco Outlet has operated in Williamsburg Crossing for about 25 years and predates Greenwood Christian Academy’s presence in the shopping center.
During the public hearing, Greenwood Christian Academy Principal Samantha Welcher told supervisors the proposed store would be about 184 feet from the school’s annex building and about 60 feet from the playground. She added that students and staff move between campus buildings through the shopping center and would pass the proposed store multiple times during the school day.
Parents and community members echoed those concerns.
Rosalie Vecchi, a Greenwood parent, urged supervisors to reject the proposal.
“Allowing a vape shop to operate next to a school defies common sense,” she said.
Several residents argued that placing an age-restricted business adjacent to a school conflicted with the family-oriented character of the shopping center and raised concerns about student exposure.
The applicant, Abdillah Assalahi, represented by planning consultant Kelley Parks, argued that he had followed all county procedures and had invested significantly into the project. Parks said the proposed shop would operate responsibly, feature minimal signage and contribute to the local economy as a first-time small business.
She added that Assalahi also agreed to additional operating conditions and noted that support letters had been submitted by nearby business owners.
Board members acknowledged that the applicant had complied with existing county regulations. Still, several supervisors said the proposed location’s proximity to Greenwood Christian Academy outweighed those considerations.
“I’m sure there’s going to be further discussion. But if I could, I would like to move the denial of this application,” Supervisor Ruth Larson said.
The board unanimously voted to deny the special use permit, preventing the tobacco and vape shop from opening in Williamsburg Crossing.
Parks did not respond to requests for comment following the vote.
