Tobacco shop gets OK to come to Rohnert Park

A Rohnert Park businessman won City Council approval to open a tobacco and smoking products store in the Raley's Towne Centre.

The Tuesday decision overturned a ruling by the Planning Commission, which rejected Tareq Alrehani's application, saying his shop would cause blight in what “is becoming Rohnert Park's downtown” and wouldn't fit with other family oriented businesses.

Alrehani, 24, a Rohnert Park resident who owns a similar store in Sebastopol, said he did not know or believe the area was becoming Rohnert Park's downtown, and noted that his store was to be located between a check cashing store and a tire store.

The city planning department, which had recommended the application be approved, made similar comments.

“Common sense tells me that the Planning Commission made a terrible decision,” said Councilman Joe Callinan.

“We're begging businesses to come to town; it's a viable business, more than welcome,” he said.

Alrehani's prospective landlord, Codding Enterprises, also voiced support.

“Mr. Alrehani is just a local businessman trying to make a living,” said Kirstie Moore, development manager for Codding Enterprises, which owns more than a dozen large Rohnert Park properties.

The council voted 4-1 to approve the appeal, with Councilman Jake Mackenzie opposed.

Mackenzie said he didn't believe the Planning Commission had sufficient grounds to deny Alrehani's application, but he said he voted against the appeal because he agreed with suggestions that the store should be prevented from posting tobacco-related signs in its windows.

“I don't want anybody saying I was voting ‘no' for anti-business reasons,” Mackenzie said.