Sustainability Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2023 04 19

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Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes March 15, 2023 Page 5 of 10 He noted that Louisville has lost lots of businesses in the last several years. He stated that Louisville should have the attitude that all businesses are welcome. He also stated that the ordinance would reduce property owners' rights by not allowing them to develop their property in certain ways. He suggested that the free market will dictate what businesses are necessary in Louisville. He also suggested that the ordinance might be too late with the City having already allowed six gasoline stations to locate in Louisville. He concluded by stating that restricting the types and numbers of businesses is dangerous. Ted McDonald, an engineer, noted that gasoline costs considerably less at the Superior Costco. He expressed a concern about the ordinance leading to a loss of competition between gasoline stations. Since Louisville residents drive to stores in nearby towns, he suggested that improved mass transit would be beneficial, especially the planned train line to Boulder and Longmont. Cathern Smith stated that she strongly supports limiting gasoline stations in Louisville. She was initially skeptical of this effort but came to support the effort after learning about the negative health impacts from gasoline station emissions. She noted that California has mandated buffer zones around gasoline stations but that these buffers are insufficient to protect the surrounding areas from air pollution. She also expressed her concern about the environmental impacts of gasoline stations. She noted that property owners near gasoline stations have rights as well and that gas stations and convenience stores have been found to diminish nearby property values. She stated that the exception for a gasoline station associated with a marketplace development does not align with the City's friendliness to small businesses, that such a gasoline station would outcompete smaller gasoline stations, and that such developments are not compatible with the City's small town character. Michiko inquired about the difference between gasoline service stations and automobile service stations. Rob clarified that gasoline and automobile service stations are the same type of entities but that the latter term is used in the City's planned community zone districts.