Salt Lake City considers setting new standards for future gas stations

SALT LAKE CITY — The drama over a proposed gas station next to Sugar House Park has now spilled over into a proposed zoning change that could change where new gas stations are built.

The Salt Lake City Council is mulling major new citywide gas station standards after the Salt Lake City Planning Commission gave the proposal a favorable recommendation in April.

Most of the changes revolve around where gas station fuel tanks can be located.

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Under the proposed zoning change, new above- or below-ground fuel storage tanks would not be allowed to be constructed within 350 feet of any river, stream, canal, pond or any other existing body of water within Salt Lake City. The same goes for any water resources, as well as any public park or open space that is at least an acre in size.

Above- or below-ground fuel storage tanks would also have to be at least 30 feet away from any property line, while pump islands would have to be at least 25 feet from any property line, under the proposed ordinance.

All new underground fuel storage tanks must also be constructed with noncorrodible material or at least designed to “prevent the release or threatened release of any stored fuel” during its lifespan. Property owners would also be “accountable for any cleanup and remediation of the subject property” should a leak or surface runoff contamination occur, among other rules.

Read the full story from KSL.com.