MONTEREY >> Plans to open new gun stores in Monterey could be halted if the city enacts a freeze on new businesses operating in the city.

On Tuesday, the Monterey City Council will vote on an urgency ordinance to temporarily prohibit the establishment and operation of new firearms and ammunition retail sale businesses in the city.

“This matter is urgent because without a moratorium, an unlimited number of firearms and ammunition sales businesses may locate almost anywhere in the City without local regulation,” Tuesday’s agenda reads.

Currently, Monterey’s zoning code doesn’t regulate or restrict the opening or operation of gun retail sales in most areas of the city, including home-based businesses in residential neighborhoods.

A new gun store is expected to open on Ocean Avenue in the next few weeks.

Several Monterey residents from the Oak Grove neighborhood spoke out against it during the last council meeting Feb. 4.

“The proposed site is near a daycare facility, a gun shop is entirely inappropriate for our neighborhood,” said Donna Betsold, president of the Oak Grove Neighborhood Association during public comment.

Residents shared concerns about the site being too close to other homes, a nearby preschool and bringing in lingering crowds.

“I’ve see the negative things that happen to the neighborhood when a business goes in that’s kind of unsavory to the neighborhood,” said Bob Walker, an Oak Grove resident. “I think the same thing will happen here.”

City Manager Hans Uslar said if the ordinance is passed, it would not affect already approved businesses, only future new businesses going forward.

The Monterey City Council will meet Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. at Monterey City Hall, 580 Pacific Street. The meeting will be streamed online and via Zoom at https://monterey-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607729333.