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state's website concerning Silverstein LLC and all of the other entities associated with it. He <br />found that the Planet of the Vapes was registered in the State of Ohio as a "vape Shop". He <br />proceeded to explain he went to three different stores to see what it was they were selling and he <br />stated he found all kinds of vaping products, drug paraphernalia, foods containing THC and delta <br />8's etc. He pointed out that another vape shop called Brick City Vapors is already within that <br />plaza. He also explained to the board the last exhibit, which were screen shots of the Facebook <br />pages for the stores he went inside. All were stating that Planet of the Vapes was an e -cigarette <br />store. Mr. Atsou asked Mr. Upton if he searched the Secretary of State website for the state of <br />Delaware. Mr. Upton said he did not. Mr. Atsou questioned Mr. Upton and his previous meeting <br />with the owners; it was specifically mentioned about the conversation and what Mr. Upton told <br />to the owners. Mr. Upton expressed concern to the owners that it may be difficult to open up a <br />vape shop in the city. After more questions, it was determined that Mr. Upton viewed the Planet <br />of the Vapes as a vape shop that sold drug paraphernalia, he decided they were a smoke shop <br />even though there was no definition in the city's ordinances of what a smoke shop was <br />specifically. <br />Mr. Mackey questioned the validity of the businesses that have been brought up throughout the <br />hearing due to a piece of mail that was returned because the forwarding had expired. It was <br />determined that the business was valid. Mr. Mackey pointed out that the Director and the board <br />does not have the authority to define what a vape shop is, only City Council has the authority to <br />do that. Mr. Mackey also questioned the testimony of the applicant about whether or not their <br />revenues from vaping products were less than 20%. Ms. Patton pointed out that they registered <br />the name of "Planet of the Vapes" and the nature of business to be a "vape store", was actually <br />filed in March. The application that was received in North Olmsted in June the listed nature of <br />business was listed as a home goods store. She asked the question of at what point in that period <br />of time did they decided to switch the nature of business from a vape store to a home goods <br />store. Mr. Atsou explained the business model had changed. He also explained the problem in <br />the city is that there isn't a definition of what a vape shop actually is. Mr. Papotto asked Director <br />Upton to explain what lot -line -to -lot -line meant. Mr. Upton replied that it was the property line <br />to property line. He also offered that the square footage Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office listed the <br />building usable area to be 29,155 square feet. The landlord that owned the building offered that <br />the building is approximately 45,706 square feet. Mr. Papotto stated that the documents the <br />board received showed the building was 45,262.5 square feet. Mr. Dayem offered an explanation <br />on why he wanted to rent this specific spot. The size of the space to rent was approximately 7100 <br />square feet. He wanted to expand his business operations and have aisles throughout the store to <br />sell more home goods items. Mr. Papotto asked Mr. Atsou to re -read out load the Ohio Revised <br />Code. <br />The board asked Mr. Gareau for guidance on the language for the motions that need to be made <br />and how to approach their discussion. Mr. Gareau advised there were two issues that were the <br />basis of the Building Commissioner's decision which was based on the recommendation of The <br />Director of Economic and Community Development. Mr. Gareau specifies the two code sections <br />that were specifically referenced, the first 1139.03(B) which refers to conditional use and <br />1118.13 C 2 which refers to location and size restriction use. The board was advised they needed <br />to make a determination based on their own opinion and whether they have heard substantial <br />evidence and testimony. The decision is to be based on the boards own assessment of the <br />evidence. <br />