Avon council unanimously adopts 12‑month moratorium on new fueling stations

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen asked Council to impose a temporary moratorium after a new application for a fueling station at Nagel Road and Chester Road prompted concerns about an apparent oversaturation of such establishments and increased demands on public safety resources. "A new application had been received for a fueling station at the corner of Nagel Road and Chester Road," Mayor Bryan Jensen told Council and said he believed it was time to pause new development while the city reviewed policies and safety implications.

Council debated the length of the moratorium. Council member Scott Radcliffe said the proposed 180 days might be too short given the Council’s workload and suggested a longer initial term; Law Director John Gasior noted Council could extend a 180‑day moratorium later if necessary. Radcliffe stated he "would support extending it to twelve months, or 365 days, at the outset." Council Members Jennifer Demaline and Anne Marie Etienne concurred that a one‑year period was preferable. The Council voted 7‑0 to amend Ordinance No. 60‑26 to impose a 12‑month moratorium and then adopted the ordinance as amended.

The ordinance—filed as Ordinance No. 60‑26—bars the establishment, development or construction of buildings, structures or changes of use that would enable fueling stations, including gasoline, diesel and EV charging stations, for up to 365 days from the ordinance’s effective date. The stated purpose is to allow the Administration, Planning Commission and Council time to review applicable Ohio statutes, the city’s master plan, zoning codes and any codified ordinances related to fueling stations.

Next steps noted during the meeting: the Administration and Planning Commission will review statutory and zoning implications while Council retains the option to lift the moratorium sooner or to extend it by another ordinance if review remains incomplete. The ordinance passed unanimously, 7‑0.