City of Raleigh Planning Commission Text Change Committee Agenda
Agenda for Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 9 a.m.
Location: Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett Street, Conference Room 303, Raleigh,
North Carolina. For information call 919-996-2626.
TC-2(B)-15 
Amends Sections 6.1.4., 6.4.10.B., and 6.1.11.C. of the Part 10A Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance to amend the Allowed Principal Use Table regarding Fuel Sales to reflect issues and concerns raised during the initial utilization period of the Unified Development Ordinance and during the UDO Citywide Zoning Map Amendment review process.
Please write a quick note to the Planning Commission before the meeting this Tuesday. At this meeting, a decision will be made about text changes to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and it's application to Fuel Stations. It will directly affect the ordinances that apply to any fuel stations that are built adjacent to residential neighborhoods.
Because of the many ways that a gas station would affect the quality of life and value of property in residential neighborhood, the city planning staff has recommended guidelines to be adopted. It is vital that the planning commission know that residents find these to be reasonable and necessary guidelines. We have provided a draft letter for you to work with, which you may send to the following addresses. Please sign it with your name and address.
Planning Department staff
Eric.Hodge@raleighnc.gov
Travis.Crane@raleighnc.gov
Planning Commissioners
Eric Braun <ericmbraun@me.com>
Rodney Swink <rlswink825@gmail.com>
To: Planning Commission, Text Change Committee
CC: Planning Department Staff
Dear Commissioners:
As a property owner in Raleigh, i follow closely the issues related to planning and development.
I am requesting the Text Change Committee of the Planning Commission to approve City staff amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regarding service stations in or adjacent to residential neighborhoods.
Specifically, staff have proposed, and I strongly support, the following compromises:
Conditions:
1. Operating hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., including fuel and other deliveries;
2. Maximum square footage of the store to be no more than 1,000 to 1,200 square feet;
3. A limit of one story for the store;
4. A maximum of eight gas pumps, or a total of four pumping islands which have two pumps per station;
5. A solid masonry wall—as opposed to a fence or a less protective wall -- between the service station and adjacent houses;
6. Proper handling and treatment, consistent with existing regulations, for polluted run-off liquids from the site; and
7. Compliance with the City of Raleigh’s current light ordinances to ensure that lighting will not be glaringly bright in residential settings;
I also request approval of the following additional staff amendments:
Activities:
1. Prohibit car washing and vacuuming and to reduce noise levels for residents;
2. Prohibit music and verbal advertisements from inside the store to the outside;
The UDO is a tool for good planning - both for the business owner and the residential property owner. Businesses and residential property owners can and should be good neighbors. Approving the above list of amendments demonstrates prudent judgment in reaching an appropriate balance. Thank you to the planning department for their work to make these recommendations.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
