Agenda Date: 10/21/2025
Subject:
Title
Ordinance 24-2025: An ordinance on first reading extending a temporary moratorium on the submission, acceptance, processing, or approval of any new application related to fuel sales (retail) within the City of Littleton for an additional 180 days.
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
Presentations:
N/A
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the duration of a current temporary moratorium on fuel sales (retail) within the City of Littleton to give staff time further to consider and recommend specific options to address the permitting of fuel stations in the City, allow Planning Commission to make recommendations, schedule follow up meetings as needed, and for Council to ultimately make any necessary changes to the city's land use and zoning code.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with Rich Culture; High-Quality Governance; Robust and Resilient Economy
DISCUSSION:
Currently fuel sales are a use by right in the Business Commercial (BC) and Industrial Park (IP) zoning districts. "Use by right" meaning that there is no formal approval needed outside of site development plans for this type of use in those districts. Fuel stations are also a "conditional use" in the corridor mixed-use (CM) zoning district, meaning those approvals are not automatic but must be granted after a public hearing with Planning Commission where certain criteria are evaluated.
The City of Littleton currently has 24 fuel stations within the city, as well as an additional two (2) that are in the final stages of technical approval. There are also 20 additional fuel stations within 1.5 miles of the City of Littleton.
Additionally, the City of Littleton, as a largely built-out city, has been thoughtful about the limited existing locations available for both commercial, residential, and in-fill opportunities to ensure a healthy base of options for Littleton residents as it rel...
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