Ridgefield City Council adopts moratorium on new gas stations

RIDGEFIELD – On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Ridgefield City Council unanimously adopted a moratorium on new gasoline service stations. The moratorium temporarily pauses new applications for gas stations while the City reviews how its development regulations should address additional stations throughout the city. A public hearing on the moratorium will be held at the City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 at the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center, 510 Pioneer Street.

The Council's action follows recent pre-application meetings involving potential new fueling stations. These meetings are an early step in the development process and are not formal applications. However, they give the City an indication of what types of projects developers are considering.

Once a formal development application is submitted, the City has a limited amount of time to review and respond to it. The moratorium gives the Council time to consider whether the City's current regulations are appropriate for additional gas stations and whether changes are needed.

Gas stations can bring high traffic volumes and potential environmental risks. In the Ridgefield Junction area, there are currently seven existing or under-construction fueling stations within 1.5 miles. Several additional fueling stations have also been discussed in the area, some of which would be located close to existing or planned stations.

The moratorium provides an opportunity for the Council to look at the bigger picture and consider how additional gas stations could affect traffic, safety, the environment, surrounding properties and the community's long-term plans for growth.

“We talk often as a Council about how we can make sure as a city government that we keep pace with the growth we are experiencing,” said Mayor Cole. “This is an opportunity for us to thoughtfully manage the growth in our community. Here in Ridgefield, we are a city that is responsive to the needs of its residents and to development and growth, while balancing those needs thoughtfully.”

The moratorium does not mean that the City has decided to prohibit new gas stations. Instead, it gives the Council time to review the City's regulations and determine whether changes are needed.

Following the hearing on Oct. 8, the Council will have up to six months to develop a plan and consider changes to the City's development regulations, if that is the direction the Council chooses to take.

Information provided by the city of Ridgefield.