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Commission approves new fuel island at Gilligan's site in Forest Lakes amid neighbor traffic, lighting questions
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Summary
The commission approved CUP25-017 to install a fuel island at the existing Gilligan's store in Forest Lakes. Staff said the area lacks nearby fuel services; neighbors raised concerns about lighting, congestion at the cul‑de‑sac and snow removal. The project will require ADOT encroachment and county review of circulation and lighting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Gilligan's fuel island (CUP25-017) at 2998 State Route 260 in Forest Lakes on Sept. 24.
Bob Short, county planner, said the store has been on the site since 1973 and that a fuel island at the location would provide a scarce service in the corridor. The applicant also asked for waivers for landscape and canopy signage; staff's report notes the fuel canopies will sit below the highway grade and be less visible from the roadway than some typical canopy signs.
Nearby property owner Loretta (address given in the record) spoke during public comment raising concerns about light pollution and the canopy lights, snowplow operations, and congestion in an existing cul‑de‑sac where customers and visitors already park. Short said the county enforces a dark-sky ordinance and that canopy and outdoor lighting will be addressed under the updated outdoor-lighting rules; engineering and ADOT requirements will address circulation and any required improvements to the approach from State Route 260.
Short and the applicant said the proposal would use underground tanks; the site plan shows drive-through circulation from the highway with in/out routes and two entries. Staff reported two attendees at the applicant's neighborhood meeting and no written objections in the record; the applicant said property owners who attended expressed support because of the scarcity of fuel in the area.
After questions about visibility and snow removal the commission voted to approve CUP25-017. The permit requires an ADOT encroachment permit for work in the state right-of-way and may require county conditions on circulation, lighting, and snow management as part of the permit and the building-permit process.
Short said the county will monitor the required encroachment and permitting steps during building-permit review and that the approved conditional use does not add additional parking requirements for the store.
