Council approves rezoning for proposed Circle K after environmental buffer discussion

LAREDO, Texas — The City Council approved a zoning change to permit a Circle K convenience store and fuel station on a 1.3-acre corner that abuts planned residential development, after a detailed discussion about subsurface safety and setback buffers.

The rezoning request drew technical questions from council members about the location of underground storage-tank venting and the risk of subsurface fuel releases. Bishop Wagner, the city's environmental-services director, recommended a 100-foot buffer from tank venting to neighboring property lines to allow time for monitoring and remediation if a subsurface release occurred. "You want a buffer so that there's fuel that would leak into the soil; it gives you enough time to remediate," Wagner said.

Stephen Laredo, representing Circle K, said the company's environmental and engineering work places tanks more than 100 feet from the southern property line and that the project team can adjust tank placement or design to satisfy any future ordinance requirements enacted before building permits are filed. "We would comply, obviously, if that goes into effect prior to us applying for a building permit," Laredo said.

Planning staff reported no opposition at the planning-and-zoning hearing and noted the applicant had completed due diligence; the council introduced and approved the ordinance to rezone the parcel from single-family to limited-business, while asking staff and the applicant to continue coordination on tank placement and public-safety measures.

The council's action is an introductory/approval step; detailed design and permitting remain subject to building permit review and any applicable new code provisions.