Warren planning staff asks commission to recommend 8-month moratorium on new gas stations and car washes; commission forwards recommendation to council

The Warren City Planning Commission voted to recommend to city council an up-to-eight-month moratorium on new gas stations and car washes so staff, legal counsel and departments can draft ordinance amendments to address a perceived local proliferation of those uses.

Planning Director Ron Wirth (reading a staff communication) said planning staff has observed an increase in gasoline stations and car washes and wants time to develop special-land-use procedures, additional design and locational criteria, and potentially require site-specific traffic studies prior to final approvals. "The time period requested would allow the Warren planning department attorney's office and other concerned departments or persons a reasonable amount of time to review, suggest, and design amendments to the zoning ordinance," Wirth read.

Why commissioners supported it: Several commissioners and members of the public said they have noticed multiple new gas stations along major corridors and worried about safety, traffic and neighborhood character. Commissioner Ansar and others noted clusters of stations along Mound Road and called for additional review before more approvals are granted.

Opposition and caveats: A commissioner who opposed the recommendation argued the measure could be a slippery slope that unduly restricts free enterprise; another noted the planning commission's recommendation is advisory and that the city council has sole authority to enact a moratorium or ordinance changes.

Next steps: The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to Warren City Council for consideration. Staff said any ordinance language and scope would be prepared during the moratorium period if council approves it.