Agenda Date: 04/21/2026
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 07-2026: An ordinance on second reading approving a code text amendment to Title 10, the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding fuel sales (Retail)
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Rachel Vigil, Planner I |
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Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager |
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Presentations: |
Rachel Vigil, Planner I |
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Jerad Chipman, Planning Manager |
PURPOSE:
To consider adoption of amendments to the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding an update to the Land Use Matrix and Standards for Fuel Stations (Retail).
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Environmental Stewardship; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide a presentation at second reading to discuss the proposed amendments to Fuel Sales (Retail) in Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1.3, Land Use Matrix, and Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1.4. Commercial and Office Land Uses. Staff will put forth an ordinance for recommendation on the locations and standards of Fuel Sales (Retail)
BACKGROUND:
In April of 2025, City Council held a study session to discuss and hear an overview of Fuel Sales (Retail) in the City of Littleton. This study was provided in response to community concerns regarding the number of gas stations within the city. In May of 2025, Council passed Ordinance 08-2025, placing a moratorium on new applications for fueling stations within the city. This moratorium was extended in November of 2025 and will expire in May of 2026. The moratorium was put into place to give city staff time to evaluate current zoning regulations for fueling stations, and to propose a text amendment to address community concerns about fueling stations and their future development within the City.
On January 26, 2026, Community Development Staff held a study session with the Planning Commission to discuss potential options for the code text amendment to the standards for Fuel Sales (Retail). On March 9, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of Ordinance 07-2026 with an amendment to include a half mile buffer between stations. The recommendation passed 5-0.
Staff will be presenting the proposed amendments to Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1.3, Land Use Matrix, modifying Fuel Sales (Retail) from a permitted use in BC and IP to a conditional use, and Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1.4. Commercial and Office Land Uses, adding buffers to the standards for Fuel Sales (Retail) at the second reading before City Council.
Prior Actions or Discussions
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May 6, 2025: |
Council approved a moratorium on new fuel station applications for 180 days. |
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November 18, 2025: |
Council extended the moratorium for a subsequent 180 days. |
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September 16, 2025: |
Staff provided an update to Council as part of General Business about research conducted by staff and Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS), pertaining to the zoning and economics of fuel sales (retail) within the City of Littleton |
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January 7, 2026: |
Staff requested input from the Environmental Stewardship Board (ESB) regarding development standards for new fuel stations. |
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March 9, 2026: |
Planning Commission recommended approval, with amendments, of Ordinance 07-2026. |
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April 7, 2026: |
City Council approved this ordinance on first reading. |
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments to Title 10, Chapter 1, Article 1 as outlined in Ordinance 07-2026.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may approve, approve with amendments, or deny the code text amendments.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Ordinance 07-2026 on second reading amending the Unified Land Use Code (ULUC) regarding land use related to fuel stations.