Planning Commission backs conditional-use permit for gas station at 195 Town Lake Parkway

The Woodstock Planning Commission on May 1 recommended City Council approve a conditional-use permit allowing a gas station with convenience store at 195 Town Lake Parkway.

Hannah Menard, a planner with the Community Development Department, told commissioners the parcel sits just off the I‑575 northbound ramp and is zoned downtown general commercial within the urban core character area. The site currently contains a roughly 1,300-square-foot convenience building, four pumps and an accessory car wash. Staff described the proposal as a modernization of an existing, long-established fuel site, including a roughly 750‑square‑foot building addition, new fuel pumps and canopy updates in keeping with the retailer’s brand guidelines. Menard said the existing underground storage tanks would remain unless testing later requires their replacement.

Menard said the DPC voted 6–0 to recommend approval subject to conditions addressing fuel dispensers, outdoor speakers, EV charging, dumpster placement, signage, overnight parking, alcohol and nicotine sales, lighting, and updates to the accessory car wash (including water-recycling and equipment standards). She said staff prefers redevelopment of an existing site over construction of a new station in other parts of the urban core and that the proposed location on the periphery of the urban core was more appropriate for a fuel station.

Applicant representatives said the project will replace the canopy and rebrand the site, install four new dispensers (eight fueling positions) and refurbish the car wash. Engineer Aaron Wadley said the applicant wants to retain the existing brick monument sign and requested consideration of a sign waiver under section 6.70.10 of the code to avoid an inequitable position relative to older, taller signs nearby. Applicant Salim Thavani said the convenience store will receive interior remodels and a small addition to accommodate walk‑in coolers.

Resident Janelle Dennis asked whether emissions testing at the site would be eliminated; applicant representatives and staff said the operation of an emissions testing business is a business decision and would not necessarily be precluded by the CUP.

City planning staff and the applicant discussed signage: staff noted LED digital price displays are permitted in limited overlays and that conversion of an existing, nonconforming monument sign to show fuel prices would require a sign waiver, which is reviewed administratively by the DPC and appealable to City Council. The planning commission then voted to recommend approval in accordance with staff recommendations. The motion was made and seconded and carried unanimously among commissioners present; the item will advance to City Council for a final decision.