HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 03 2025 Item# 7.2 - Urgency Ordinance - Marty Estrada1
Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services (C.A.R.A.S.)
381 First Street Suite B, Gilroy, CA 95020
Telephone: (408) 847-4978 | Fax: (408) 846-1089
Website: http://www.caras-southcounty.org
Email: info@carassouthcounty.org
Date 11/3/2025
Gilroy City Council
City Hall
7351 Rosanna Street
Gilroy, CA 95020
Item 7.2: Consider Adopting an Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Issuance of
Tobacco Retailer Permits for a Period Not to Exceed Forty-Five (45) Days within the
Downtown Specific Plan Area (M 25-13).
Dear Members of the Gilroy City Council,
We at Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services (CARAS) Agency want to
express our strong opposition to the increasing number of tobacco shops and smoke shops
within Gilroy, particularly in the Downtown Specific Plan area. Over recent months, we have
observed a concerning rise in these establishments, many of which are selling tobacco and
vaping products to minors—often using fake IDs or through unscrupulous sales practices. This
proliferation not only jeopardizes the health and safety of our youth but also contributes to a
community environment that is not family friendly.
The presence of multiple smoke shops and bars in the downtown area and near our Youth Center
on First Street is detrimental to the community’s character. It diminishes the family-oriented
atmosphere that Gilroy is known for. These establishments tend to attract drug use, underage
sales, and unsafe activities, undermining the very fabric of our community. Many of our youth at
our Youth Hub reject these tobacco shops and question why the City Council continues to
approve licensing for these businesses.
We urge the City Council to consider the impact of these shops and the message they send to
residents, youth and especially young families. The current approach—allowing numerous
tobacco retail outlets—sets a concerning precedent. Gilroy should follow the example of
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neighboring cities like Morgan Hill, which maintain a healthier, family-friendly downtown
environment free from the visual and social detriments associated with excessive tobacco sales.
Therefore, we recommend the City Council take immediate action to address this issue.
Specifically, we urge the adoption of an Urgency Interim Ordinance establishing a temporary
prohibition on the issuance or approval of new Tobacco Retailer Permits within the
Downtown Specific Plan area, pursuant to Government Code Section 65858. This ordinance
should include findings that such action is necessary for the immediate preservation of public
health, safety, and welfare, especially for minors.
Furthermore, we recommend the following concrete measures:
• Implement a moratorium on new tobacco licenses until a comprehensive review and
community input process is complete.
• Not Temporary Prohibition but a permanent prohibition
• Conduct a racial and socioeconomic impact assessment of existing tobacco retail
outlets to identify disproportionate targeting or exposure of vulnerable communities.
• Establish a licensing cap or limit on the number of tobacco retail permits within the
Downtown Specific Plan area.
• Increase enforcement and penalties for shop owners illegal sales to minors and fake ID
use.
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• Develop a community education campaign to raise awareness about the health risks
associated with tobacco and vaping products, especially targeting youth.
Please prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of Gilroy’s residents, particularly its youth.
We ask the Council to reconsider the proliferation of these shops and take decisive action to
regulate now and limit their presence in our community.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Marty Estrada
Director of Community Development
Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy and Services
(408) 422-2724