Carl Junction council adopts ordinance requiring 30,000-sq.-ft. lots and 175-foot pump-to-home buffer for gas stations

The Carl Junction City Council voted unanimously to adopt an amendment to the city's zoning regulations that increases the minimum lot size for commercial operations selling gasoline to 30,000 square feet and requires a minimum 175-foot distance from any pump to a residentially occupied structure.

At a public hearing, an unidentified speaker explained the proposed change would "increase the minimum size to 30,000 square feet and add 175 feet from pump to any residential structure." The clerk read the ordinance title aloud, identifying the change as an amendment to Title 4, Land Use, Chapter 405, Section 405.071, affecting the C-2 Retail Commercial District.

Councilmembers put the measure on first and second reading by title only before moving to final passage. David moved to place the ordinance on final passage, Anita seconded, and the council recorded eight votes in the affirmative with none opposed. The ordinance passed and was recorded as ordinance number 2541 (as read during the meeting).

Council discussion during the hearing noted that current stations in the city would not fall out of compliance under the new rules. The ordinance does not apply retroactively to existing nonconforming sites unless otherwise specified in the municipal code.

The ordinance amends the city's land-use regulations to give the council and staff a clearer standard for siting future gasoline-selling operations; staff did not provide an implementation date during the meeting.