Agenda Date: 01/26/2026
Subject: Gas Stations
Title
Fuel Sales (Retail) Unified Land Use Code Text Amendment Discussion
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Prepared by: |
Rachel Vigil, Planner I |
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Presentations: |
Rachel Vigil, Planner I Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager, AICP |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this item is to discuss potential amendments to the ULUC standards regarding Fuel Sales (Retail).
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide a presentation to discuss potential changes to the use standards for Fuel Sales (Retail) in the City of Littleton and resulting amendments required to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC). Staff intends on moving forward with a recommendation for approval of the code text amendment within the ULUC in March, with Council action set to begin April 7, in order to implement the text amendment before the expiration of the fuel station moratorium enacted in Ordinance 08-2025.
Currently, fuel sales are a “Permitted” use in the Business Commercial (BC) and Industrial Park (IP) zoning districts. Permitted uses follow an administrative site plan approval process. Fuel stations are also a “conditional use” in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and Corridor Mixed (CM) zoning districts. The conditional use process concludes with a review by the planning commission.
BACKGROUND:
In April of 2025, City Council held a study session to discuss concerns with the ULUC’s regulations regarding gas stations and whether the current code is too permissive. Following this study session, City Council passed Ordinance 08-2025, placing a moratorium on the development of new gas stations within the city. The resolution was later extended by 180 days in November 2025.
The intent of the moratorium was to give the city time to further evaluate the need to address fuel sales within its community and give staff the time necessary to develop possible options for addressing concerns via the ULUC.
Staff has identified several potential avenues to address concerns regarding fuel sales in the city. The first is to change fuel sales in the Business Commercial (BC) and Industrial Park (IP) zoning districts from use by right to a conditional use. The second is to modify the City of Littleton’s standards for Fuel Sales (Retail). Staff has researched other municipalities’ codes and standards for fuel sales to inform Planning Commission of potential approaches to these standards. And a third option is to set a maximum limit on the number of stations within city limits.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Planning Commission review the presentation, discuss standards for Fuel Sales (Retail), and provide staff with direction on moving forward.
ALTERNATIVES:
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
N/A
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