Opportunities for Public Input on Limiting Gasoline Stations

As I reported in a previous blog post, the Louisville City Council adopted a temporary moratorium on new land-use applications for gasoline stations. This moratorium came into effect on 1 November 2022 and expires on 30 September 2023. City Council’s 2023 work plan includes consideration of subsequent actions concerning the number of gasoline stations in Louisville. To initiate these considerations, City staff drafted an ordinance that would limit the number of gasoline stations in Louisville. Principally, this ordinance caps the number of gasoline stations in Louisville at six, a number matching the five existing gasoline stations and sixth gasoline station recently approved for development. This ordinance includes an exception for a seventh gasoline station associated with a new marketplace development (like the King Soopers on South Boulder Road). You can find the ordinance’s full text in the meeting packets linked below. At its meeting on 9 February, the Louisville Planning Commission reviewed the draft ordinance, recommending approval with one addition: that any new gasoline station consistent with the ordinance’s provisions host a certain number of electric vehicle charging stations. At its meeting on 21 February, City Council held its first reading of the draft ordinance. As suggested by Councillor Leh, City Council decided to delay the second reading by two weeks to allow for further public input. In addition to its usual channels for public input, the City will receive public input at the next meetings of the Louisville Economic Vitality Committee and the Louisville Sustainability Advisory Board. The Economic Vitality Committee next meets tomorrow (Friday 10 March) at 1:30 pm in City Hall’s council chambers; the Sustainability Advisory Board next meets on Wednesday 15 March at 6:30 pm in City Hall’s council chambers. I encourage everyone to attend to provide public input.