Sustainability Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2023 04 19

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Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes March 15, 2023 Page 6 of 10 Michiko inquired about simplifying the language in Louisville's municipal code to prevent confusion. Rob replied that the City could make this simplification but that this would likely not happen now. Michiko inquired whether the draft ordinance would affect other types of services for vehicles. Rob replied that the ordinance only addresses businesses selling gasoline. Walter inquired whether the draft ordinance would affect hydrogen fueling stations or other renewable fueling stations. He asked specifically whether hydrogen fueling could be added to existing gasoline stations. Maxine shared some comments from the last Economic Vitality Committee meeting: that the City has existing restrictions on businesses present and not present in Louisville and that the City has in the past made choices about types of businesses in Louisville. She added that gasoline stations are different from most other businesses in Louisville in that gasoline stations emit toxic air pollution and have storage tanks that require remediation prior to redevelopment. She added further that, while gasoline stations are going to disappear as we transition to electric vehicles, the City needs to ensure supply for lower income residents who are less able to transition to electric vehicles. She noted that most residents go to King Soopers or Costco because the prices are considerably lower. She stated that, since gasoline stations are already highly regulated businesses, new regulations are not necessarily unwarranted. Michiko inquired about whether the City does or should regulate the number of pumps at each gasoline station. Rob replied that the City does not currently have any such regulations but that a planned unit development amendment is necessary to add pumps at an existing gasoline station. LSAB Discussion Dan stated that he appreciates the arguments for letting the market freely regulate gasoline stations. He suggested that gasoline prices are unlikely to increase if the ordinance is passed since the ordinance does not eliminate existing gasoline stations. He stated that the arguments expressed by Maxine and others outweigh economic concerns.