§ 12.7. Gasoline filling stations.

A.

Authorization. Facilities to serve motor vehicles are of considerable importance within urbanizing areas where the basic mode of transportation is by private automobile. The continued growth of motor vehicle registrations and of total miles traveled annually has stimulated additional needs for retailing gasoline and associated products. To meet the demands of location and space for this type of retail facility requires careful planning to properly integrate the service station function into the pattern of other commercial and retail activities serving the community. Because such integration requires special considerations relating to location, site layout, storage facilities, traffic, safety, and compatibility with surrounding uses of land, this ordinance requires conformance to the standards set forth in this section before a building permit may be issued for a gasoline service station under a special land use permit within a B or I zoning district.

B.

Objectives. It is the intent of this section to exercise a measure of control over service stations and permitted buildings, and their sites, and to establish a basic set of standards within which individual solutions may be developed to meet the retail service needs of motor vehicles. The objectives of the regulations set forth in this section are to:

1.

Promote the type of development which will be compatible with other land use activities located in areas where service stations will be constructed.

2.

Control those aspects of service station design, site layout, and operation which may, unless regulated, be damaging to surrounding uses of land.

3.

Minimize the traffic congestion and safety hazards which are inherent in service station activity.

C.

Uses that may be permitted. Gasoline filling stations as defined in article 2, section 2.8 [2.1], including the servicing of motor vehicles under 1½ tons rated capacity such as minor adjustments to motor vehicles, sales and installation of automotive accessories, and other servicing of motor vehicles, provided such accessory uses and services are conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building.

D.

Site development requirements. The following requirements for site development, together with any other applicable requirements of this ordinance, shall be complied with:

1.

Minimum site size. Fifteen thousand square feet with a minimum width of 150 feet.

2.

Site location. The proposed site shall have at least one property line on a principal or minor arterial.

3.

Building setback. The service station building, or permitted buildings, shall be set back 50 feet from all street right-of-way lines and shall not be located closer than 50 feet to any property line in a residential district unless separated therefrom by a street or alley.

a.

No installations, except walls or fencing and permitted signs, lighting, and essential services, may be constructed closer than 20 feet to the line of any street right-of-way.

b.

Hydraulic hoists, pits, and all lubrication, greasing, automobile washing, and repair equipment shall be entirely enclosed within a building.

4.

Access drives. No more than two driveway approaches shall be permitted directly from any principal or minor arterial nor more than one driveway approach from any other street, each of which shall not exceed 35 feet in width at the property line.

a.

If the service station or permitted building site fronts on two or more streets, the driveways shall be located as far from the street intersection as practicable, but not less than 50 feet.

b.

No driveway or curb for a driveway shall be located within ten feet of an adjoining property line and shall be no less than 25 feet from any adjacent lot within an R district as extended to the curb or pavement.

c.

Any two driveways giving access to a single street should be separated by an island with a minimum dimension of 20 feet at both the right-of-way line and the curb or edge of the pavement.

5.

Curbing and paving. A raised curb at least six inches in height shall be erected along all of the street property lines, except at driveway approaches. The entire service area shall be paved with a permanent surface of concrete or asphalt.

6.

Fencing. A solid fence or wall four feet in height shall be erected along all property lines abutting any lot within a residential district or abutting an alley which abuts a residential district.

7.

Signs. Signs shall be allowed as provided for in section 10.4. No signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall be permitted within the public right-of-way.

8.

Off-street parking. Off-street parking shall be provided in conformance with the schedule outlined in article 11.

9.

Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be so arranged so that it is deflected away from adjacent residential districts and adjacent streets. The height of lighting shall not exceed 12 feet when located within 200 feet of a residential district and further may not exceed a height of 16 feet otherwise.