Love's seeks to add compressed natural gas pumps at Hatcher Boulevard station

The Planning and Development Committee heard a petition from Trillium Transportation Fuels on behalf of Love's to add compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling at the Love's station located at 3150 Richard Gordon Hatcher Boulevard (CPO 2026-23).

Attorney Molina said the petition sought to add CNG as a permitted use at a site already zoned for a gas station and that the BZA had recommended approval; staff noted required conditions that the operator obtain all state, federal and city permits and comply with fire, environmental and safety regulations prior to operating the CNG portion.

Kyle Janek of Love's alternative energy division described the equipment and operations: "If you're not too any more familiar, you know, CNG... it looks exactly like a gas pump, except the nozzle's a little bit different," he said, and added the company plans three CNG lanes mainly to serve heavy-duty fleet vehicles though light-duty vehicles could also fuel there. Janek said compression equipment would be staged on-site and that dispensers and a new canopy would be added.

Chief Domas noted the city had received CNG vehicles under a BP consent decree for bus service and that local access to CNG fueling would allow those vehicles to operate without the city bearing the entire expense of installing its own pump. Council members asked about pump counts, vehicle compatibility and whether ethanol blends (E85) would be made available on the site; Love's said the station would pursue applicable fuel offerings but had no immediate E85 timeline.

The committee did not record a final vote in the transcript; the petition will follow the council process.