Title
Text amendment regarding the Precious Metals and Gem Ordinance. (Second Reading)
Presented by Bradford D. Townsend, Planning and Zoning Director
Body
Item Summary:
Staff was asked to review the licensing requirements for precious metals and gem dealers and identify changes to the current requirements and approval process. Staff put together an analysis of the current requirements used in the cities of Alpharetta, Sandy Springs and Marietta. The City of Roswell is the only city that requires approval by the Mayor and City Council for the business license as well as a performance bond for $100,000. Pawn shops do not require approval by Mayor and Council and are handled administratively. One of the two items discussed at the September 13 Council meeting was the length of time for the grace period before the business can sell the purchased precious metals or gems. The current code requires a fifteen (15) calendar day grace period. This is five days longer than the State required grace period for Pawn Shops. The other item was a way to limit the number of locations by the distance to existing businesses. The Mayor & Council approved a text amendment that requires a 5,000 feet distance between existing pawnshops and/or check cashing establishments and any new location. This would take a text amendment to the Zoning ordinance and will be initiated as a separate ordinance.
Committee or Staff Recommendation:
The Mayor & Council approved the first reading on September 13, 2010 with the recommended changes.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Presented by:
Bradford D. Townsend, Planning and Zoning Director