Lafayette’s New Gas Station Restrictions
The City of Lafayette has taken steps to limit the number of new gas stations within its boundaries. The city council, responding to community concerns about the rapid growth of gas stations, passed a new zoning ordinance. This ordinance prohibits new gas stations from being built within about a mile of existing ones. It also increases setbacks, requires more detailed decommissioning plans, and sets new standards for gas station development.
County Commissioners Decline Unified Ordinance
While Lafayette and West Lafayette have adopted these stricter rules, the Tippecanoe County commissioners have chosen not to follow suit for unincorporated areas. The county commissioners felt that the one-mile restriction was too broad for the larger, less-dense regions outside city limits. They did express interest in improving decommissioning plans and other aspects of the ordinance, but ultimately rejected the unified approach.
What’s Next for Gas Station Development
The Area Plan Commission is now tasked with revisiting the ordinance and presenting a revised version that could be supported by the county commissioners for unincorporated areas. This means that while Lafayette and West Lafayette will see fewer new gas stations, the rest of Tippecanoe County remains open to new developments under the current rules. The debate continues as local officials seek to balance community needs with economic growth and development opportunities.
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