This street view is of Dixon's third smoke shop, along with Dixon Smoke Shop and Adjusted Gravity Smoke & Vape. Courtesy photo

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Top Notch Smoke Shop is one step closer to becoming Dixon's third tobacco specialty store.

The 645 North 1st St. location, formerly 1Up Motorsports, will be the Dixon Smoke Shop and Adjusted Gravity Smoke & Vape. Brittany Alexander, on behalf of owner Mohammad Muthanna, submitted the January application for a conditional use permit, which was reviewed by the Dixon City Planning Commission on April 9.

Raffi Boloyan, Community Development director, explained that surrounding properties — Pape Machinery, Dixon Tires and Wheels Adams Street Car Wash, Superior Autobody, and Schmidt's Cabinet Company —are all zoned service commercial. The conditional-use permit for tobacco will change upon the new adoption of the zoning code to corridor mixed use.

"The conditional use process is required for uses that are typically OK and acceptable to be allowed in certain zoning districts," Boloyan said.

Based on the Dixon General Plan and the application paperwork, North 1st St. is one of the two primary roads through the city. Over time, it is envisioned to include a range of commercial, service and housing options between downtown and Interstate 80.

Contrary to the stigma of smoke shops, there will be "no cannabis sales or lounge" for the tobacco store, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Britany Alexander, the Top-Notch Smoke Shop applicant, addresses the Dixon Planning Commission on April 9. Photo by Angela Underwood

"The business will not include the selling of cannabis or cannabis-related products," according to the application, adding, "It is recognized that a tobacco shop can raise legitimate red flags to members of the community."

The application clearly states that appropriate restrictions ensure minors cannot access products, aligning with Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE). Boloyan informed officials that Top Notch is near Dixon Library, DC Church and Young Adults Center, Dixon Community Day School, Northwest Park, and John Knight Middle School, but the business is at least over the allowable 1,000-foot zoning requirement.

Before allowing the application to proceed, Planning Commission Vice-Chair Loraine Hernandez-Covello questioned the applicant on a few matters, beginning with area improvements. Alexander said, "the bathrooms will be the only concern at this point" regarding Adults with Disabilities (ADA) requirements.

"I was told that will not be a concern until the suites are broken up, so those will be the only adjustments made," Alexander said, adding, "The ADA was already approved with the parking outside."

Hernandez-Covello's next question was confirming Top Notch would not hold special events outside operational hours, to which the applicant assured her the only event would be for opening day.

Hernandez-Covello saved her biggest concern last.

"I drove by the other two smoke shops in Dixon, and I noticed that they have minimal signage, and I noticed there wasn't any kind of submission for yours," Hernandez-Covello said. "I did look online but did not want to assume it was your logo or sign."

Although Alexander is the applicant, she “is unsure” what the signage will be.

"It will be nothing crazy," Alexander said. "It's just signage that we are here. Maybe a neon light to draw some attention but nothing crazy along the lines of pipe paraphernalia."

According to Boloyan, before any signage is allowed, a site permit must be approved.

"If it doesn't meet the code or comply with all the standards, they would have to revise it or ask for a variance and that would have to come to the planning board," Boloyan said. 

To ensure the vice-chair's concerns were addressed, two conditions were added to the application approval: no outside loitering and no banners, blow-up devices or outdoor advertising of any kind. Any appeal against Top Notch must be made before April 19.