Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2023 03 09

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 09, 2023 Page 11 of 15 Moline says he is not opposed to this proposal. We have not seen evidence that we will change the city's carbon footprint by adopting this. He mentions City Council's sustainability work plan and says there are bigger goals the City needs to work towards. Those other goals could make a greater impact on the City's climate and sustainability goals than this effort. He would appreciate seeing data that shows that by limiting gas stations in a town, it would have a positive environmental impact. Howe says he thinks this ordinance moves the needle in the right direction. He is not opposed to it. He discusses how the topic of energy is complicated. He would like to think that market demand would limit the number of gasoline stations without too much intervention. He says for residents that cannot afford electric vehicles, we cannot just get rid of gasoline stations. He believes this proposal balances the desire to move toward renewal energies yet provides services to those who cannot afford the change yet. This proposal also allows an exemption for future development that attracts new business, employment, and growth. Osterman says she is in support of the ordinance. Two of the most compelling arguments are related to human health concerns and also the economic benefits. Placing a ban does not necessarily reduce the consumption of fossil fuels but there are other compelling reasons for supporting the ban. She is open to the language being strengthened as proposed by some of the citizens. Brauneis says if we are pumping the same amount of gasoline, the chances are that new stations will have fewer emissions. As gasoline stations phase out, the older ones will also phase out. When a gas station closes, they are required to remove the underground storage tanks and remediate the site. He does not find that we are exposed to anything at that point in time. Krantz mentions that the average cost to remediate a gas station is approximately $250,000. It is the most common type of brown field site and ends up being because of petroleum contamination. She does not know how they can justify having more gas stations when car manufactures will stop producing gasoline vehicles in 2035. She discusses a proposed legislation at the state level banning gasoline vehicles and the effects of that. Choi says he drives an electric vehicle for his daily commute but he also has a 45-year-old internal combustion vehicle. He would love to electrify his 45-year-old vehicle; he does not have the means to do that right now. There are significant numbers of people who may not have the ability to deal with a gasoline desert. We cannot make a determination only looking at one side of the coin. Brauneis mentions that he wishes they were discussing facilitating support for getting the City to help multi -family housing install charging stations. Krantz says the city ending up with a gasoline desert would be a little bit extreme. If we do approve this, in the petition's language, there was important whereas statements regarding the intent and is stronger than the staff version. Those show the purpose of a gasoline ban or reducing the cap through the years then the whereas statements that staff proposed. Specifically about the electric vehicles.