Planning Commission Agenda and Packet 2023 05 11

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 09, 2023 Page 10 of 15 Zuccaro says that would be a common zoning term. He likes that wording better than "integral." Krantz says she does not think we should have an exception. She would rather be more specific about this. She thinks there is a good reason for the 1,000 ft. She does not think there should be an exception for a large retail center. Osterman asks staff if they could provide some insight on the four different suggestions made for strengthening the ordinance. She is more interested in the second and third suggestions. Zuccaro says staff does anticipate that there will be a transition away from gasoline use. If there is still a demand, the proposed ordinance does provide for gasoline service to be available to residents. Considering that, allowing a limited number will be beneficial. As the market shifts, that will naturally limit the number and then the City does not have to force it. That is why we were thinking a cap would also work well. Discussion by Commissioners: Choi says he has difficulty getting around the language of the ordinance and if that did or did not align with the intent. The intent seems to point to the desire to lessen the use of, if not hasten, the end of the use of fossil fuels. He likes where it is going but he thinks there are parts that could use additional enhancements. If there is an economic benefit to the City of allowing an exception to allow a gas station with a big retail center, there should also be some further requirements like providing electric charging stations as well. This would actually facilitate the adoption of electric cars. Brauneis says we have approximately 15 charging station locations within Louisville. We have two high-speed electric charges that happen to be at the newest gas station at 7-Eleven. He is not convinced that this will reduce global warming; that capping additional gas stations will cause a healthier environment. He is concerned about unintended consequences. The slower stations are great for people who work here, but that is not the issue. Typically, people who own an electric vehicle will charge at home because that is the cheapest way to keep the vehicle running. The challenge is meeting the need for the high-speed stations for people passing through town. The irony is that our newest gas station is the only location that has high-speed stations. Choi would like to see language that is not only preventative. Brauneis says right now, the newest gas station would be required under the parking requirements to provide charging stations. Choi says that is the bare minimum. We should have language that facilitates the transition in favor of more electric charging stations, and have those be equal to the number of gas or diesel pumping stations. Krantz thinks it is great that we have a proposed ordinance capping and limiting the number of gas stations. She is in favor of those four conditions proposed by Mr. Cooperman. If we are looking to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases, the City could be the first to limit the throughput of our gas stations rather than the number of gas stations. That would make much more of a difference. She would like to support this with these added points as conditions.