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Peoria adopts code modernization with new limits on service stations and car washes
Summary
Council adopted a code modernization ordinance (16R/Ord. 2026‑06) that reorganizes definitions and land‑use tables and adds operational limits aimed at preventing oversaturation of gas stations and car washes; staff cited an inventory of roughly 24 facilities in and near the city.
Peoria’s City Council approved Ordinance 2026‑06 on March 3, adopting a code modernization package that reorganizes zoning definitions, consolidates the land‑use matrix, clarifies notice tables and adds new operational standards for service stations and car washes intended to curb oversaturation and address community impacts.
Deputy Director Lori Dver and Planning staff walked council through the package: a central definitions section, a reordered notice/administration table, a consolidated land‑use matrix, and cross‑references to operational limitations. Dver said the revisions are intended to make the code easier to administer and to provide clearer, consistent guidance for applicants and residents.
On automotive uses, Dver said the existing code allowed unrestricted siting and that the proposed rules would limit the number of service stations at major arterial intersections and introduce separation standards for car washes. "The proposed regulations tonight would limit that to max 2 when the street or intersection is an arterial to an arterial intersection," she said, describing limits for high‑capacity intersections. Staff told council they conducted an inventory and found approximately 24 service/car‑wash facilities within and immediately adjacent to city limits; fewer than 30% would meet a proposed one‑mile separation if such a separation were imposed today.
Dver told council that car washes present particular operational issues — traffic stacking, noise, and water use — and that the code now provides operational standards, good‑neighbor requirements, and retains conditional use review and variance pathways for exceptional circumstances.
The planning and zoning commission held a public hearing and voted 6‑0 to recommend approval. Council Member Crawford praised the approach and moved to adopt the ordinance; council approved the measure on a recorded voice vote noted as 7‑0.
The ordinance will be codified and administered by the planning department; staff said applicants can still seek rezones, conditional use permits or variances if they need relief from the new spacing or operational standards.
