Gas Station Ordinance Tabled After Council Questions

Farmersville Planning and Zoning commissioners unanimously tabled a proposed zoning amendment for convenience stores with gas pumps after City Council sent the item back with questions about business impacts, competition and economic growth. No revised language was approved at the meeting, and commissioners said more discussion with council is needed before the ordinance moves forward.

The proposal under review would add requirements for certain gas station developments, including a limitation that could restrict stations to two corners of some intersections and a requirement for a specific use permit. Commissioners said the goal was not to discourage new business, but several members said the wording still needs clarification on where the restriction would apply and whether all convenience stores with gas pumps would be treated the same.

One of the key questions was whether the ordinance should apply only at intersections of two major thoroughfares rather than all road intersections. Commissioners also discussed whether station size should matter, including the possibility of using the number of fuel pumps as a threshold so a small convenience store would not automatically be treated like a much larger fueling facility.

Traffic safety remained part of the discussion. Commissioners said large convenience stores can add multiple entrances and exits near intersections, increasing turning movements and driveway conflicts. Members noted that if four gas stations each had two access points, that could create eight separate driveway connections around a single intersection.

Commissioners also said it may be useful to compare Farmersville's rules more closely to nearby cities, especially where major thoroughfares are involved. But because changing the ordinance language could require another public hearing and public notice, members said they wanted additional clarification from City Council before making changes. For now, the item will return at a future meeting.