Development standards for gasoline service stations
The zoning board of review may grant a special use permit for gasoline service stations in a B-B zone, provided the station complies with the following development standards, in addition to all other applicable requirements of this ordinance. No gasoline service station shall be expanded or constructed within 200 feet of the boundary line of any residential zone or of any school, church, park, playground, hospital, public library, institution for dependents or children, or any place of public assembly designed for the simultaneous use of 100 persons or more, regardless of the zone in which either use is located. The 200 feet shall be measured along the street line on that side of the street on which the gasoline service station has its main frontage.
(1) Site. The minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet with a minimum street frontage of not less than 150 feet.
(2) Accessory uses. Subject to the approval of the zoning board, automobile repair, service, and storage may be permitted as accessory uses to gasoline service stations provided that:
a. Automobile parts, wrecked or damaged vehicles, or similar objects shall be stored within an enclosed building;
b. Except where wholly impracticable, all automobile repair and service work shall be performed within an enclosed building;
c. No vehicles requiring repair and service shall be stored outdoors for longer than 30 days.
There shall be no residence or sleeping quarters maintained in any gasoline service station.
(3) Yards and setbacks. Side and rear yards must be at least the minimum applicable dimension specified in the table of dimensional regulations in section 6.4 of this ordinance. Gasoline pump islands shall be set back at least 29 feet from the street line. All other structures, except underground tanks, shall be set back at least 53 feet from the street line.
There shall be no opening in the wall or roof of any garage, gasoline station, or motor vehicle repair shop, except chimney openings and emergency fire doors, within 18 feet of any property line, unless the opening is equipped with wire glass and metal sash and frames.
(4) Driveways. Driveways shall be at least 24 feet wide and shall have at most two openings on a single street. No driveway shall be less than 50 feet from any corner lot line, ten feet from any side lot line, or 40 feet from another driveway serving the lot.
All driveways, parking areas, or standing areas, including the service apron, shall be permanently improved with a paved surface. Adequate provision shall be made for the collection and disposal of stormwater. Stormwater runoff shall not be discharged into a public street without the prior approval of the town engineer.
The service apron of an automotive service station shall be separated from the adjoining sidewalk or from the road by permanent concrete curbing.
(5) Storage of fuels. Gasoline and other fuel storage tanks shall be located underground, and shall be constructed and installed in accordance with specifications issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tanks shall be set back from all buildings and lot lines as follows, except that the zoning board of review may reduce the required setback from a property line where the adjacent property is of such a character or ownership that it will remain undeveloped permanently:
a. Thirty thousand gallon tanks shall be set back at least 29 feet;
b. Six thousand gallon tanks shall be set back at least 24 feet;
c. Three thousand gallon tanks shall be set back at least 12 feet.
(6) Screening and landscaping. The side and rear yards of gasoline service stations shall be bounded by a solid or opaque fence or wall at least four and not more than six feet high. Such fence or wall shall be adequate to shield the station from adjacent property. The station also must comply with the requirements for landscaping and buffer areas prescribed in section 7 of this ordinance.
(7) Illumination. Lighting fixtures used to illuminate gasoline service stations shall be no higher than 14 feet aboveground, and shall reflect the light so that it is not visible outside the lot boundaries. At the close of business, all lighting shall be limited to that necessary for security.
(8) Waste disposal. There shall be no dumping of waste materials, such as oil or grease, except in a closed, underground, noncorrosive receptacle, at a place and of a design approved by the zoning board of review. Containers for debris and trash shall be located and maintained in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of this ordinance.
(Ch. 1118, § 14, 12-18-2023)
Cross reference— Businesses, ch. 14.