By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—The Pelham City Council extended the effective date for a one-year moratorium on certain businesses within city limits during an Aug. 4 meeting.

The moratorium, originally passed during a June 16 City Council meeting, halts the issuance of business licenses for payday loan, car title loan, check cashing, gold and silver brokers, tattoo parlors, pawn shops, vape shops, tobacco shops and used automobile sales businesses for a one-year period.

During an Aug. 4 meeting, the City Council pushed the effective date from June 16 to Sept. 1.

“There were a couple of businesses that would fall under this moratorium that had expended a large amount of money in building preparation,” City Councilman Ron Scott said during an Aug. 6 phone interview. “This allows us to address those situations.”

Scott explained “at least two” businesses were impacted by the June start date, and both were used car sales businesses.

“We’ve tried to be as fair as possible to groups who have invested time and money,” City Council President Rick Hayes said during the Aug. 4 City Council meeting, but he stressed businesses must “meet the requirements for a business license by August 31.”

The moratorium was originally passed to allow the Pelham City Council a “one-year breather” to analyze and plan for the city’s commercial and economic future, especially along the U.S. 31 corridor, Scott explained in an interview closely following the June 16 decision.

The extended effective date does not change the moratorium in any way, Scott confirmed, adding “if we looked at it, it will still be in effect until June 16.”

At that time, the Pelham City Council will revisit the moratorium and weigh options, and decide whether to end or continue the moratorium, Scott said.