HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 26-13413 - Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution revoking Business License and Tobacco Retailer Permit for Haze Smoke ShopRESOLUTION NO. 26-13413
BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAMPBELL REVOKING THE BUSINESS LICENSE AND THE
TOBACCO RETAILER PERMIT FOR HAZE SMOKE SHOP AT 2050
SOUTH BASCOM, CAMPBELL
WHEREAS, Haze Smoke Shop, located at 2050 South Bascom, operates under a
Business License and a Tobacco Retailer Permit issued on October 6, 2020 (BL#033097)
to operate as a Tobacco Store and to sell tobacco and tobacco related paraphernalia;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.01.140 (Revocation generally) of the Campbell
Municipal Code ("CMC"), any business license is subject to revocation based on
complaints received, including a written report of the chief of police or any
officer disclosing the asserted violations of law or ordinance,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.58.110 (Penalties and enforcement.) of the Campbell
Municipal Code, any business with a tobacco retailer permit shall be subject to penalties
and enforcement if they violate any local, state, or federal laws applicable
to tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia, or tobacco retailing;
WHEREAS, During an inspection of the business on March 5, 2025, Campbell police
officers identified a large amount of flavored tobacco products on display for sale as well
as concealed in a hidden room. In total, police officers seized over 630 flavored tobacco
items, including corresponding receipts of flavored tobacco sales. The Permittee
concealed and did not disclose its intent to offer flavored tobacco products for sale during
the permitting process.
WHEREAS, the sale, offer for sale, or possession with intent to sell prohibited flavored
tobacco products is a violation of State law;
WHEREAS, the actions of the business documented on March 5, 2025, by Campbell
police officers constitute grounds for revocation of the business license under Section
5.01.145 (Grounds for revocation.) of the Campbell Municipal Code,
WHEREAS, the actions of the business documented on March 5, 20251 by Campbell
police officers also constitute grounds for revocation for the Tobacco Retailer Permit per
Section 5.58.120 (Penalties and enforcement.) of the Campbell Municipal Code,
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2026, the Community Development Director issued a Notice of
Intent to Revoke the Tobacco Retailer Permit to the business in question on June 3, 2026,
in accordance with Campbell Municipal Code Chapter 5.58,
WHEREAS, per Section 5.58.150 of the Municipal Code, the business can request an
appeal hearing before the City Council concerning the decision to revoke the Tobacco
Retailer Permit, if the request is submitted within 15 days of the revocation notice;
WHEREAS, Haze Smoke Shop submitted an appeal request on June 15, 2026 within the
15 days of the revocation notice,
City Council Resolution No. 26-13413
Page 2of3
Revocation of Business License and Tobacco Retailer Permit for Haze Smoke Sho
WHEREAS, Per Section 5.58.150(d) of the Campbell Municipal Code, the City Council
shall conduct a de novo hearing to approve or deny the appeal of the administrative
decision to revoke the Tobacco Retailer Permit, allowing the permittee an opportunity to
present any relevant evidence,
WHEREAS, the Campbell City Council finds that revocation of the Business License and
Tobacco Retailer Permit for Haze Smoke Shop is not a "project" subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act because the action is an administrative enforcement action that
will not result in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and because the action revokes
City -issued authorization for the business to continue operating under the subject
Business License and Tobacco Retailer Permit based on documented violations, and does
not approve any construction, change in land use, physical development, or other activity
that may cause a physical environmental effect, and therefore is not subject to CEQA
pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section 15378,
WHEREAS, in the alternative, even if the revocation action were considered a project
under CEQA, the Campbell City Council finds that the action is exempt from CEQA under
the common sense exemption in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), because it can
be seen with certainty that revocation of a business license and tobacco retailer permit for
an existing business will not have a significant effect on the environment, as the action is
regulatory and enforcement -related, does not authorize physical changes to the property,
and does not commit the City to any future physical development or use of the site;
WHEREAS, Campbell Municipal Code Section 5.01.155 (Notice of hearing on revocation),
which relates to business license revocations, and Section 5.58.150 (Hearing.), which
relates to tobacco retailer permit revocations) require that the City mail notices to the
business licensee and the subject property owner at least five and ten days (respectively)
prior to the scheduled Council hearing to consider revocation of the Business License and
Tobacco Retailer Permit,
WHEREAS, consistent with the requirements of Campbell Municipal Code Section
5.01.155 (Notice of hearing on revocation.), and 5.58.150 (Hearing.) the City Clerk has
mailed notices to the subject business licensee and property owner ten days prior to the
July 7, 2026, Council meeting in accordance with these requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Campbell City Council has accepted public testimony as part of the
noticed public hearing and has reviewed the entire administrative record including
evidence presented by the business owner regarding the revocation of the Tobacco
Retailer Permit prior to making a decision regarding this revocation.
Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and in consideration of the entire administrative
record, the City Council further finds and concludes that:
Business License Revocation Findings (CMC Sec. 5.01.145 — Grounds for revocation.):
(1) The continuance of the operations of the licensee under the license is contrary to
the public health, safety, peace, welfare, and morals,
(2) The licensee has violated penal provisions of this title or other applicable law;
City Council Resolution No. 26-13413
Page 3 of 3
Revocation of Business License and Tobacco Retailer Permit for Haze Smoke Shop
(3) The applicant misrepresented a material fact in obtaining a license under this title;
(4) The conduct of the business constitutes a public nuisance, or is otherwise illegal,
improper or disorderly.
Tobacco Retailer Permit Revocation Findings (CMC Sec. 5.58.120 — Suspension or
Revocation of Permit):
(a) The offering of flavored tobacco products for sale is a violation of State law, which
would be a basis to deny the tobacco retail permit pursuant to Campbell Municipal
Code section 5.58.040(d),
(b) The permittee did not disclose its intention to offer flavored tobacco products in its
application, rendering its application false and inaccurate in violation of Campbell
Municipal Code section 5.58.040(a),
(c) The revocation of a tobacco retailer permit as a penalty is cumulative and may be
levied in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.
(d) The permittee, or the permittee's agents or employees, caused, permitted, aided,
abetted, or concealed a violation of CMC Chapter 5.58 (Tobacco Retailer Permit),
which also constitutes a violation of CMC Chapter 5.58 (Tobacco Retailer Permit).
(e) The violations of CMC Chapter 5.58 (Tobacco Retailer Permit) constitute public
nuisances pursuant to CMC Section 6.10.020(a)(6)(Q).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council finds that the action is not a
project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Public Resources
Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section 15378, and, in the alternative, is
exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3); affirms that the
grounds for revocation have been met under Sections 5.01.140 (Revocation generally.)
and 5.58.120 (Suspension or Revocation of Permit) of the Campbell Municipal Code; and
hereby suspends the Business License and Tobacco Retailer Permit for Haze Smoke
Shop, located at 2050 South Bascom, Campbell, CA for 30 days.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of July, 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Hines, Scozzola, Furtado
NOES: Councilmembers: Lopez, Bybee
ABSTAINED: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
APPROVED:
Z.A=
Daniel E. u ado, ayor
ATTEST:4J'(ea 7 1 ZXJ
Andrea Sanrders, City Clerk
City of Campbell
70 North First Street
Campbell, CA 95008
Subject: Request to Preserve Tobacco Retail License
Pending CDTFA Appeal
To Whom It May Concern',
w,
I am writing regarding the seizure of flavored tobacco products
at 2050 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 5, Campbell, CA 95008, and
respectfully request that the City of Campbell refrain from
suspending or revoking our Tobacco Retail License while this
matter is under review by the California Department of Tax and
Fee Administration (CDTFA).
The products in question were attributed to AUTUMN MT,
INC., the tobacco retail license holder at the above -referenced
location. However, we respectfully wish to clarify that the
products were owned by Black Wolf Wholesale Inc., a
wholesale company that ceased operations following the
intiplemcntation of Califomia's flavored tobacco restrictions.
At the time of the seizure, the products were stored in secured,
locked storage areas within the premises. They were not
displayed. marketed, offered for sale, or otherwise made
available to retail customers. The inventory was being
temporarily stored pending lawful disposal in compliance with
applicable regulations.
Unfortunately, the products were mistakenly associated with
AUTUMN MT, INC.'s retail operations. No retail sales of the
products occurred, and the inventory was never intended to be
sold or offered for sale from the premises after the flavored
tobacco ban became effective.
we have filed an appeal with the California Department of Tax
and Fee Administration and submitted a petition explaining the
circumstances surrounding the seizure, including the ownership
of the products and the fact that they were being held pending
disposal. As this matter remains under review, we respectfully
ask the City to consider the following facts-
• This is a first-time alleged violation.
• The products were not being sold, displayed, or offered for
sale.
• The products belonged to Black Wolf Wholesale Inc., a
wholesale business that had ceased operations, and were
incorrectly attributed to the retail license holder.
• The inventory was being stored pending lawful disposal and
was not intended for commercial use.
• A formal appeal has been submitted to the CDTFA, and the
matter remains under review.
Given these circumstances, we respectfully request that the City
of Campbell allow our Tobacco Retail License to remain in good
standing and refrain from taking any suspension or revocation
action while the CDTFA appeal is pending. We believe the facts
demonstrate that there was no intent to violate the law and that
the products at issue were not part of AUTUMN MT, INC.'s
retail operations.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We appreciate the
opportunity to present these facts and respectfully request
favorable consideration of this request. Should you require any
additional information or supporting documentation, please do
not hesitate to contact us.
S incerely,
Thaer Sunnaa