NEWS

Halt gas stations near neighborhoods, Indy planners say

John Russell
john.russell@indystar.com

Too many gas stations are popping up near residential areas, and it's time to put a halt to it, city development officials say.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission is recommending that the City-County Council impose a moratorium on new gas stations in commercial areas alongside neighborhoods.

Those areas, zoned as C-3, typically contain restaurants, shopping centers and office buildings.

The commission voted 8-1 Wednesday to recommend that the city prohibit any more gas stations in such areas.

Gas stations have been permitted in C-3 zones since 1969 and have not generated much griping.

But lately, gas stations have been springing up in vacant lots or redeveloped properties in those districts. In the past two years, the city has issued 18 permits for new gas stations in areas zoned C-3.

Residents have complained about traffic, noise, smells and the possibility of crime.

"For a long time, it has not been an issue, but we've been hearing a lot of concerns lately," Maury Plambeck, the city's planning and zoning administrator, told the commission.

The proposed moratorium also would cover convenience markets where gasoline is sold or other motor fuels are stored and dispensed.

The measure also would halt the conversion, enlargement, extension, reconstruction or relocation of any such business in a C-3 zone.

"This is long overdue," David Kingen, a private urban planner, told the commission.

Some neighborhoods applaud the move. Dozens of residents in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood are trying to stop a new gas station from going up at 32nd Street and Central Avenue. The city issued a permit last month and ground was broken.

About 50 residents have signed a petition to stop the construction. The Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corp. has appealed the permit, saying there are already more than a dozen gas stations with two miles of the site.

"We don't need a gas station every three blocks," said Leigh Riley Evans, chief executive of the Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corp. "Just because there is a vacant lot doesn't mean a gas station is needed or is consistent with the revitalization of the neighborhood."

The group's appeal will be heard on April 7. That gas station, however, would not be covered under the moratorium, because the permit was already issued.

The proposed moratorium still needs approval by the City-County Council at its March 30 meeting. Until then, permits can continue to be applied for and issued.

Call Star reporter John Russell at (317) 444-6283 and follow him on Twitter @johnrussell99.