Prospective owners outline pizza shop plan for former gas station; commission highlights permits, sign and parking rules

Martin Fitzrick and Josh Sulfaro told the Town Planning and Zoning Commission on May 28 that they are considering buying the former gas station building at the town corner and converting it into a fast-casual pizza restaurant. "We're taking a look at that gas station for sale," Martin Fitzrick said when introducing himself and his partner (SEG 056-063).

The pair asked whether existing signage could be repurposed and whether they could expand the sign; they said they might use the station's poles and were considering a sign "like, a 8 by 5" (SEG 153, SEG 161-163). Commissioner discussion noted the existing sign is likely nonconforming to modern highway-setback standards but that repurposing a preexisting sign often remains permissible if it is not moved (SEG 170-179). Parking and access near the sidewalk were also discussed.

Town staff and commissioners stressed that any interior remodel or structural change would require a building permit and plan review. "Any sort of remodel of the building is gonna require a permit," the commission advised, and Chris, the town building inspector, told the visiting applicants that plan drawings and engineered details would be needed for structural changes and could be reviewed at the town office (SEG 128-139, SEG 136-139).

On parking, planners noted restaurants trigger specific parking formulas. Speaker 2 summarized the rule the commission was using as a guideline: "It's like 1 parking space per 4 occupants or per table" depending on how the use is classified and how much indoor versus outdoor seating is proposed (SEG 210-214). Commissioners suggested the applicants could limit seating to reduce required parking spaces or bring engineered plans that show exact uses and parking calculations.

Environmental concerns specific to the site's former use also came up. A commission member said the property had been mitigated, noting the tanks were removed and testing took place before and after remediation (SEG 272-277). That, the member said, reduced the need for additional outside environmental review for reuse as long as documentation is provided.

Next steps recommended by the commission were procedural: applicants should pursue building permits, provide floor plans and structural drawings if they change the building, and prepare a parking plan to show compliance with the town's parking standards. Commissioners also encouraged the applicants to consult the building inspector at the town office for plan review and to verify the sign's status relative to Utah Department of Transportation setbacks (SEG 130-145, SEG 186-188). The applicants said they hope to open in the fall, pending licensing and financing (SEG 283-287).

The commission took no formal action on the visit, which was recorded as a public inquiry and informational discussion during the meeting.