Chapter 15.30
GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS
Sections:
15.30.030 Development standards and criteria.
15.30.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare in the city by establishing standards for the site design and operation of gasoline service stations. The need for such standards is created by the high volume of traffic and the frequency with which vehicles enter and leave the sites. This is an inherent trait of this land use in the city. By establishing standards, it is intended that the smooth flow of traffic will be facilitated and greater safety will be provided for the residents of Blaine and for automobile passengers and pedestrians. It is also the purpose of this chapter to establish development and operational regulations consistent with the health, safety and general welfare objectives of the city and which are appropriate to the characteristics of this land use. (Ord. 1999 § 1, 1990)
15.30.020 Defined.
A “gasoline service station” means a building, lot, structure, or facility having pumps and storage tanks where fuel, gasoline, oil or other similar products are dispensed, sold or offered for sale at retail only; vehicle repair service is minor and incidental and shall include accessory uses such as car washes and food marts. (Ord. 1999 § 1, 1990)
15.30.030 Development standards and criteria.
A. Code Compliance. All gasoline service stations shall be in conformance and compliance with the following:
1. Uniform Building Code as adopted by the city;
2. Uniform Fire Code as adopted by the city;
3. City of Blaine zoning code;
4. All other applicable city codes and ordinances;
5. All applicable state statutes;
6. All applicable federal regulations.
B. Traffic Study. A traffic impact analysis will be required whenever a gasoline station meets one or more of the following conditions:
1. A new gasoline service station is proposed;
2. An existing gasoline service station increases pumping capacity through the addition of hoses and/or pumps;
3. The site of an existing gasoline service station is expanded in size or reconfigured to allow such expansion;
4. Existing ingress or egress to a gasoline service station is modified;
5. An existing service station is reopened for business after a closure of six months or more.
The traffic impact analysis shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1. Analyze future or horizon year (year or opening and five years from opening) level of service (LOS) conditions with and without project;
2. Analyze proposed driveway level of service for proposed projects; check sight distance;
3. Evaluate potential queuing problems or parking problems;
4. Determine percentage of project traffic to total future traffic (used in cost allocation analysis if necessary);
5. Signal warrant analysis if appropriate.
C. Development Standards. Development standards and criteria of the zoning district/subzone shall apply unless otherwise noted in this section.
1. Lot Size. Minimum lot size shall be 14,400 square feet.
2. Lot Frontage. Adequate to accommodate ingress and egress to the site, with a minimum of 170 feet. The minimum distance of any driveway from the right-of-way line of an intersection shall be 50 feet and the minimum distance of any driveway from an adjacent property line 25 feet.
3. Lighting. On-site lighting shall be located. directed, and/or shielded in a manner which reduces light glare or spill onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way. Lighting shall be designed per IES (Illuminating Engineers Society) recommended guidelines for light level intensity.
4. Off-Street Parking. One stall per employee of the gasoline service station. For uses associated with or accessory to the gasoline service station parking requirements shall be as specified in Chapter 17.58 BMC and Appendix B of the municipal code.
5. Signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the city municipal code, Title 17 BMC, Division IV.
6. Separate public restrooms shall be provided for male and female and shall be barrier-free in conformance with Chapter 51-10 WAC.
7. A dumpster enclosure containing a dumpster shall be located strategically on the site in sufficient number to reduce off-site litter.
8. Trash receptacles shall be located strategically on the site in sufficient number to reduce off-site litter.
9. All portions of a gasoline service station site not utilized for landscaping or for other open space use shall be paved. All perimeters shall be landscaped in conformance with BMC 17.38.110.
10. No gasoline service station shall be located less than 300 feet from any park, playground, church, school or public place of assembly; provided, that in the gateway zoning district, no gasoline service stations shall be located less than 200 feet from any park, playground, church, school or public place of assembly.
D. Ingress/Egress and On-Site Circulation.
1. Separate ingress and egress points shall be provided unless a traffic study demonstrates that a dual ingress and egress driveway can be implemented without adverse impact on adjacent streets.
2. No direct ingress to a gasoline service station shall be permitted from arterials as defined in the Blaine Transportation Study per T.I.B. standards.
3. A minimum of 70 feet of clear vehicle stacking space (queuing) shall be provided on-site and in line with each row of pump islands.
4. Driveways shall be a minimum of 35 feet in width.
5. Alleys shall not be used for ingress or egress.
E. Operational Standards.
1. Operation of a gasoline service station shall require permit approval and a business license from the city of Blaine.
2. All vehicle service activities shall be conducted within a building designed in such a fashion that these activities are not visible from arterials.
3. No operation, service, or activity shall be permitted which would constitute a legal nuisance problem.
4. A formal litter control program, as approved by the city, shall be implemented.
5. Accessory truck, trailer, and vehicle rental or sales shall be permitted where allowed by zoning.
6. No major vehicle repair shall be conducted on-site. “Major repair” shall include, but not be limited to, body repair and straightening or disassembly of body or engine parts.
7. Gasoline fueling operations shall be operated in accordance with Chapter 22 of the 2006 International Fire Code:
a. Attended self-service motor fuel dispensing facilities shall be operated in accordance with Chapter 22, Section 2204.2 of the 2006 International Fire Code.
b. Unattended self-service motor fuel dispensing facilities shall be operated in accordance with Chapter 22, Section 2204.3 of the 2006 International Fire Code. The owner or operator shall maintain an on-site log, which provides a record of site visits, equipment inspections and maintenance for review by city officials.
8. A policy manual for the management of hazardous materials incidents is to be submitted to the city for review and approval prior to occupancy of the facility.
F. Insurance Liability.
1. Each service station operator shall obtain and maintain from a reputable insurer comprehensive general liability insurance against claims occurring on or about the property or as a result of business thereat in the amount of $3,000,000 combined single limit coverage.
2. A service station operator may insure under this provision within the coverage of any blanket policy or policies of insurance which it or any parent, partner, subsidiary, or affiliate may now or hereinafter carry, provided city’s protection herein shall not be diminished.
3. Certificate(s) of the insurance herein required shall be furnished to the city on application for business license and on subsequent renewals of or changes in licensing. Such certificate(s) shall indicate that the city be notified in writing at least 10 days prior to any alteration or cancellation of any insurance herein. (Ord. 2889 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 2728 § 2 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 1999 § 1, 1990)