Residents of Riverside Terrace have pushed back for months against plans for a gas station and convenience store on a lot near Southmore Boulevard and Live Oak Street. They say the business would bring more traffic, noise and other problems too close to their homes. The city is now proposing new restrictions that could make it harder to build gas stations in some residential areas.
State Rep. Jolanda Jones, who lives in Riverside Terrace, said she got involved because the project was in her district and neighborhood. She said she was told by people in the city that the project was a done deal, but she decided to help anyway. She said she helped residents organize meetings, contact city leaders and look into deed restrictions on the property. Jones said the neighborhood's efforts helped push the city to consider new rules.
The proposed Retail Fuel Station Ordinance would use a two-step process. First, if a gas station is along a major road wider than 80 feet, it would meet the location requirement without additional residential review. If the road is 80 feet wide or narrower, the city would look at how much of the surrounding area is residential. A location would qualify if less than 50% of the area is residential. At 50% or more, it would not qualify under the standard rules.