Council and staff flag school-adjacency and septic limits for proposed Lavenduski gas station near Hector Garcia Elementary

City staff presented a site plan for a proposed gas station and travel center located at Lavenduski near Hector Garcia Elementary School and recommended conditions to limit community impacts and comply with state and local rules.

The presentation noted the developer rotated the site layout to meet a 300-foot separation requirement from the school. Staff said the applicant plans a fuel/convenience facility with a future retail building positioned so that required school‑adjacency distancing is met under the city’s Chapter 4 rules.

Staff explained the property currently lacks nearby public sewer and so the applicant proposes septic service. Staff explained the city’s rule: if a site is within 500 feet of a sewer line, connection is required; otherwise, septic is allowable subject to engineering and exceptions. As staff summarized: “If it's within 500 feet of a city sewer line, then they're required to connect.”

Planning and zoning staff told the council the planning commission recommended a planned‑development (PD) approach and several specific conditions, including: - pavement improvements on Lavenduski from the intersection to the site entrance that meet collector‑street standards (specified cross‑section widths and turn lanes); - limits on business hours and a prohibition on overnight parking so the facility does not become a truck stop; - the city should have the option to prohibit standalone smoke shops in the PD so the site cannot be converted to a smoke-shop destination advertising to the interstate; and - sidewalks and other site‑plan requirements to ensure pedestrian connectivity.

During discussion, Council Member Tim Walker and others asked whether alcohol or tobacco sales would be limited; staff confirmed smoke shops are allowed in the base GR zoning but said a PD could add a prohibition on standalone smoke shops or similar uses. Staff also noted that septic limits some retail uses (for example, certain fast-food operations would not be feasible on septic) and that a drive‑through could be considered but might be constrained by septic capacity.

Why it matters: The property sits near a public elementary school, and council members and staff emphasized limiting uses that draw foot traffic from the school or become late‑night destinations. Staff also stressed public‑safety and traffic concerns on Lavenduski and the need to match nearby intersection geometry at Hector Garcia Elementary.

Next steps: Staff said the PD with the recommended conditions would be the path forward if the applicant seeks formal approval. No formal vote occurred at the workshop; staff asked for council feedback on the recommended PD conditions and the proposed prohibition on certain uses.

Ending: Council and staff agreed the PD should include clear language limiting truck parking and certain retail uses, and staff said engineering review and planning conditions would be required before any final approval.