DALLAS (KRLD) - The Mesquite City Council has approved a 90-day moratorium on any new convenience stores within the city limits. The measure does not affect existing stores that are already operating within the city.
"This is not to get rid of convenience stores or to never have another convenience store. It's simply a short-term pause in issuing those types of permits," said Jeff Armstrong, Director of Mesquite's Planning and Development Services Department.
City staffers will use the next three months to look at new rules for convenience stores. The goal is to improve safety after dozens of convenience store robberies in 2019. Those rules could include standards for surveillance cameras, drop safes, security signs and the possibility of a registration program for convenience stores. City officials want to have the new regulations in place before any new stores open.
"I think we have put it out there as a temporary pause to put these standards in place," said Council Member Kenny Green. "I'm fully confident our staff will get this done in less than 90 days. I think we'll have everything in place we need to have done."
The temporary moratorium on new stores will run through May 3rd.