Politics & Government

No Butts About It, City Tightens Smoking Ban

City Council says 75 percent of apartment units need to be non-smoking by Jan. 1, 2013.

Smoking in local apartments just got tougher after City Council members decided Tuesday evening to amend smoking ordinances.

The recommendation requires all apartment complexes with 16 units or more to designate 75 percent of their units as non-smoking by Jan. 1, 2013.

The decision came after council members reviewed a report on the city's current law. Passed in 2008, it required complexes to make 50 percent of their units non-smoking by January 2011.

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The ordinance had been slated to increase to 70 percent, but council members felt the number could be increased largely because compliance now is at 69 percent.

"To only go to 70 percent seems, to me, very weak," said council member Kasie Hildenbrand, who strongly encouraged the council to raise the level to 85 percent.

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Councilman Eric Swalwell disagreed, saying the original plan was to increase by 20 percent. "When you have an agreement, you honor that agreement."

After some discussion, the council agreed on 75 percent.

A representative from the American Lung Association addressed the board before its decision and said, "This not only saves money for landlords, it saves lives."

"We have a healthier group of people living there," said Kathleen Kelly, a resident at The Groves at Dublin Ranch. That complex is now 100 percent non-smoking and Kelly thanked the council for passing the ordinance two years ago.

Because the item required only a staff recommendation Tuesday night, the report will come back within the next few months for a final vote. In 2013, the city will review the ordinance.

Other news discussed at the council meeting:

  • The Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association approved the Dublin Farmers' Market for 2011. A budget change will be made to appropriate funds for the market, which is scheduled to begin May 12 and run for the rest of the month.
  • A certificate of recognition was presented to the Dublin Stealth Soccer Team for its recent championship wins.
  • The City of Dublin presented a proclamation commemorating the Dublin Rotary's founding on Feb. 23, 1905.


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