Chapter 23.72
AUTOMOBILE FUELING STATIONS
Sections:
23.72.020 Permit requirements and exemptions.
23.72.030 Location and separation requirements.
23.72.040 Development and operational standards.
23.72.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate fueling station development to ensure that the design and operation of such uses effectively mitigate associated problems with traffic, congestion, excessive pavement and lighting, litter, hazardous materials, and noise. [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.72.020 Permit requirements and exemptions.
Fueling stations are permitted or conditionally permitted in designated zoning districts as described in Division III, Zoning Districts, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards, of this title. [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.72.030 Location and separation requirements.
In the City, fueling stations shall be separated by a minimum of five hundred (500' 0") feet, except that a maximum of two (2) fueling stations are permitted at any single intersection. Separation distance shall be measured in a straight line from the property line of said fueling stations. Where two (2) fueling stations are located at a single intersection, the City encourages fueling stations to be sited in such a manner as to serve different flows of traffic. The City may waive the spacing requirements for infill sites or locations affected by roadway widening or other infrastructure improvements. [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014; Ord. 28-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.72.040 Development and operational standards.
The development standards in this section are intended to supplement the standards in the underlying zoning district for fueling station uses. In the event of conflict between these standards and the underlying zoning district standards, the provisions of this section shall apply. Fueling station uses shall also comply with all applicable State and Federal regulations regarding site design, pricing signs, containment, maintenance, and operations.
A. Minimum Lot Size. The minimum lot size to accommodate a service station in the City is fifteen thousand (15,000 ft2) square feet.
B. Lot Coverage. Maximum lot coverage for a service station (including canopy) is forty (40%) percent of the total lot size. No more than twenty (20%) percent of the total lot area shall be covered by a canopy.
C. Setbacks. Generally, no building shall be located within twenty (20' 0") feet of any public right-of-way or within fifteen (15' 0") feet of any interior parcel line. However, to encourage a more pedestrian streetscape, a primary building with direct access from the street may be located a minimum of fifteen (15' 0") feet from the right-of-way (and outside of required landscape corridors). The City may consider deviations from this requirement through the design review process.
D. Landscaping. In order to provide adequate screening for the large expanses of pavement associated with fueling station use, a minimum of fifteen (15%) percent of the site shall be landscaped, concentrated at the perimeter of the site. Street frontage landscaping shall be a minimum of fifteen (15' 0") feet in width and bermed to no less than two (2' 0") feet in height. Minimum five (5' 0") foot-wide landscape planter areas shall be provided adjacent to all other exterior property lines. Planter areas shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, and ground cover, including the following specific standards:
1. Trees along all street frontages shall be fast-growing evergreen species, a minimum of twenty-four (24") inch box in size, planted no farther apart on center than the mature diameter of the proposed species.
2. Shrubs planted along all street frontages shall be a minimum five (5) gallon size and shall be designed and maintained to screen vehicles from view from adjacent roadways to a minimum continuous overall height of thirty (30") inches, measured from the finished grade of on-site pavement abutting the planter.
E. Access/Circulation. The intent of the specific access and circulation standards below is to ensure safe and convenient internal circulation and access to and from the site, while minimizing the negative visual impact of multiple curb cuts, discontinuous landscape, and excessive pavement.
1. No more than two (2) exterior points of access (driveways along abutting streets) shall be provided for each fueling station, regardless of the length or number of street frontages. No more than thirty-five (35%) percent of the street frontage shall be devoted to curb cuts. Within integrated developments, shared access driveways are preferred.
2. The internal circulation system shall allow for vehicle stacking without blocking ingress and egress on and off the site. The pump island shall be situated to provide stacking space for a minimum of two (2) vehicles behind the vehicle parked at the pump closest to the entrance and/or exit driveway. The City may consider deviations from this requirement through the design review process.
F. Pedestrian Access to Convenience Market. A minimum of one (1) continuous four (4' 0") foot-wide internal pedestrian walkway shall be provided from the perimeter public sidewalk of each abutting street to the nearest entrance to the convenience market. Internal pedestrian walkways shall be distinguished from driving surfaces through the use of raised sidewalks, special pavers, bricks, or scored/stamped concrete.
G. Building Placement and Orientation. Buildings shall be placed close to the street and oriented to the public view.
H. Building and Canopy Design. The service station building and/or canopy shall be designed for architectural compatibility with the surrounding area. The maximum height for all fueling station buildings shall be twenty-five (25' 0") feet. In order to reduce the visual impact of the canopy structure and corresponding lighting, the maximum height of the canopy clearance shall be sixteen (16' 0") feet and the maximum width of the canopy fascia shall be thirty (30") inches. Canopy fascia shall match the color and texture of the primary building. See Figure 23.72-1.
Figure 23.72-1
Service Station Building and Canopy Design
I. Signs. All signs, except window signs, shall be constructed and maintained within a permanent sign structure. Except as provided below, fueling station signs are subject to compliance with the provisions of EGMC Chapter 23.62, Signs on Private Property:
1. Building Signs. Allowable sign area for building signs is one (1 ft2) square foot of sign area for each linear foot of primary building frontage, up to a maximum sign area of fifty (50 ft2) square feet.
2. Freestanding Signs. One (1) freestanding monument sign is permitted for corporate identification with a maximum sign area of twenty-four (24 ft2) square feet and a six (6' 0") foot height limit. Pricing signs shall be incorporated into such monument sign, the area of which shall not count against the maximum allowable freestanding sign area. Service stations located on a corner parcel shall locate the monument sign at the intersection for visibility from both abutting street rights-of-way. Said sign shall be located outside of the visibility requirement.
J. Parking. In addition to the off-street vehicle parking provisions in EGMC Chapter 23.58, Parking, the following standards apply to fueling station uses:
1. Customer and employee parking shall not be utilized for vehicle repair, finishing work or storage of vehicles. No vehicle which is waiting for service, or which has been serviced, shall be parked on site for a period of longer than seventy-two (72) hours.
2. No vehicle shall be parked on the premises for the purpose of offering it for sale.
3. Outdoor Display of Materials. Temporary and permanent outdoor display and sale of products shall be limited to one (1) display rack near the entrance to the corresponding pay booth or convenience/service building and one (1) display rack on each pump island. Display racks shall have a maximum area of ten (10 ft2) square feet at the base with a maximum height of six (6' 0") feet. Display racks shall not obstruct required vehicle or pedestrian access.
K. Lighting. In addition to the lighting provisions of EGMC Chapter 23.56, Lighting, canopy lighting shall be recessed so that the luminaire does not extend below the surface of the underside of the canopy.
L. Noise. All outdoor noise generators associated with the business shall be identified by the applicant during conditional use permit review and may require the submittal of a professional noise analysis to quantify noise sources. All outdoor speakers and video/audio pump stations and sound signals associated with the service stations shall be turned off daily between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014; Ord. 12-2012 §12, eff. 7-27-2012; Ord. 28-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]