The Ridgefield City Council heard public comment from two people on Oct. 8 regarding a six-month moratorium on new gas stations as officials consider whether the city’s development regulations adequately address traffic, environmental risks and the community’s continued growth.
The public hearing followed the council’s Aug. 27 adoption of Ordinance 1487, which temporarily halts the filing, acceptance, processing and approval of applications for new gasoline service station facilities in all zones unless the moratorium is ended or extended.
The moratorium does not prohibit new gas stations permanently. Instead, it gives the council time to review current regulations and determine whether additional standards are needed before new development applications move forward.
According to the city, recent pre-application meetings involving potential fueling stations helped prompt the action. Although those meetings are an early step in the development process and are not formal applications, they provide an indication of the types of projects developers are considering. Once a formal development application is submitted, the city has a limited amount of time to review and respond. The moratorium gives officials an opportunity to consider the broader effects of additional fueling stations before facing those deadlines.
In the Ridgefield Junction area, seven fueling stations are either existing or under construction within 1.5 miles, according to the city. Several additional stations have been discussed, including some that would be located near existing or planned stations.
City Attorney Janean Parker said the hearing was focused on whether the council should pause development to evaluate the regulations.
Councilor Katie Favela said the city should consider the cumulative effects of gas stations on nearby neighborhoods.
“When we are going through this process, I want to make sure that we have adequate code to consider the whole picture, the cumulative environmental health, safety, and socioeconomic impacts that putting gas stations in neighborhoods can cause,” Favela said.
Councilor Clyde Burkle raised concerns about the concentration of fueling stations along Pioneer Street.
“Basing my concerns on the fact that we will have in a one-mile section on Pioneer, six fueling stations. And in my opinion, I think that's more than adequate,” Burkle said.
Other council discussion addressed how to account for differences between locations and the potential impacts of additional development. Councilor Lee Wells also noted that newer underground fuel tanks include additional containment designed to reduce leaks.
Some residents questioned whether the city should limit new stations. Joe Melroy said officials should be cautious about preventing businesses from moving forward.
“I'd be careful about putting a moratorium on them or stopping something that people want to be in business,” Melroy said.
In a news release by the city, Mayor Matt Cole said the moratorium presents an opportunity to consider how the city manages development while responding to growth.
“We talk often as a Council about how we can make sure as a city government that we keep pace with the growth we are experiencing,” Cole said. “This is an opportunity for us to thoughtfully manage the growth in our community. Here in Ridgefield, we are a city that is responsive to the needs of its residents and to development and growth, while balancing those needs thoughtfully.”
Before the moratorium, gas stations were permitted in the Community Commercial Business, Commercial Regional Business, Central Mixed Use, Waterfront Mixed Use and Employment zones.
Following the Oct. 8 hearing, the council has up to six months to develop a plan and consider changes to the city’s development regulations, if officials choose to pursue them. The hearing itself did not determine whether new gas stations would be prohibited or establish new development standards.
