Dear Mayor Cockrell and the Members of the Front Royal Town Council,

We, the undersigned residents of Front Royal and Warren County, express our concern regarding the rapid increase in vape shops across our town. These establishments, often concentrated in sensitive areas and adding little value to our community, are proliferating unchecked, impacting the character and atmosphere we all cherish.

While we appreciate the Council’s current review of Quantico’s ordinances, we urge you to take a closer look at the Town of Smithfield’s zoning approach. Unlike Quantico, Smithfield requires that vape shops be confined to commercial districts and, crucially, mandates a Special Use Permit (SUP) for each new application. This extra step allows the community to voice concerns and ensures that the Council maintains oversight over where and how such businesses operate. We believe this approach is more in line with protecting the values and image of Front Royal.

Our request is simple: to amend the town’s Zoning Laws to include a requirement for Special Use Permits for all vape shop applications, thereby limiting their spread and giving residents a say in where these businesses are located. This is a necessary step to prevent Front Royal from becoming oversaturated with vape shops and losing the appeal that makes it a great place to live.

We appreciate the Council’s efforts thus far, but we believe Smithfield’s model offers a more comprehensive solution that aligns with our vision for Front Royal’s future. If no action is taken by November, we will consider this a failure to address a critical community concern, and it will influence our votes in the upcoming election.

We urge you to act swiftly and decisively. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
The Concerned Citizens of Front Royal and Warren County