Brooklyn Center City Zoning Code
35-414 Special
Requirements For Automobile Service Stations
35-414Special Requirements For Automobile Service StationsAutomobile service stations pose particular problems in achieving compatibility with abutting and adjacent land uses because of potentially detrimental aspects of their operation. The problem is basically both functional and esthetic involving traffic hazards, noise, light glare at night, outdoor storage of merchandise, poor architectural design, indiscriminate advertising, etc., all of which contribute to less enjoyment and use of and reduction of property values in surrounding properties. It is hereby determined that the general welfare will be better served by minimizing adverse functional and esthetic conditions which may result from operation of automobile service stations and that the use, enjoyment, and improvement of surrounding property will be enhanced by the following requirements:1)Automobile service stations must front, and the primary building face, on a street designated by the City Council as a major thoroughfare. The minimum width of the use site shall be 130 feet and the minimum area shall be 20,000 square feet.2)No service station shall be constructed on a parcel which abuts an R1, R2, or R3 district including abutment at a street line. For the purpose of this paragraph, a parcel which adjoins another parcel at one corner will be deemed to abut.3)Prior to any construction, the owner or developer shall comply with the requirements of Section 35-230 which relates to approval of plans. Any construction must conform to the drawings and specifications as approved by the City Council. In evaluating architectural design, the City Council shall follow the principle that the building express sincere concepts and honest construction and be compatible with surrounding buildings. The appearance of the community and landscape is to be disturbed as little as possible. Moreover, the design of the buildings and of the canopy, if there is one, shall be in scale with the surroundings. This subsection shall apply to all exterior additions or alterations including accessory structures and signs.4)No driveway curb opening will be permitted within 40 feet of the intersection of the property lines of a corner use site. The maximum right angle width of any driveway shall be thirty feet at the property line. No driveway shall be located within 50 feet of another driveway at the property line on the same use site, or be flared outward on the boulevard in such a way as to encroach upon the boulevard or abutting property.5)Provisions shall be made for an unobstructed area free of all vehicles, pumps, signs, displays or other materials which tend to obscure vision where the use site is at the intersection of two streets. The unobstructed area shall be bounded by the street right-of-way lines abutting the lot and a straight line joining points on such street lines, 50 feet from the point of intersection of the street right-of-way lines. This is not intended to preclude one identification sign which is 10 feet or more above the street grade level and is supported by a pedestal 12 inches or less in diameter.6)Facilities for chassis and gear lubrication must be enclosed within the principal building. Vehicle washes may be located in a separate building on the site provided that the materials and exterior treatment for the wash building shall be of the same level of quality as for the principal building. No merchandise may be displayed for sale outside the principal building except within four feet of the building or in pump islands unless enclosed by a structure compatible with the building. No discarded trash, parts, or tires may be stored outside the building unless enclosed by a durable structure compatible with the design of the principal building.7)Lighting surrounding automobile service stations must meet the provisions of Section 35-712. Lighting design must be submitted to the Planning Commission for recommendations to the City Council and all lighting shall conform to drawings and specifications approved by the City Council.8)Any required buffer or screening area shall be so constructed and maintained as to keep the beam of automobile headlights from shining into abutting properties.9)There may be signs as permitted by the Brooklyn Center Sign Ordinance.10)The following activities are prohibited:a)Body work and painting.b)Motor vehicle parking, except that owners and employees automobiles and a maximum of three service vehicles may be parked. Automobiles being serviced may be parked for a maximum period of 48 hours at any one time.11)The lawful use of land for any automobile service station existing at the time of the adoption of this ordinance may be continued even if such use does not conform to the above regulations provided that the use is made to conform to these regulations except subsections 1, 2, 3, and 4 above, within 12 months of the date that this ordinance is adopted. Subsection 3 of Section 35-414 shall apply to all exterior additions, alterations, accessory buildings and signs erected or constructed after the effective date of this ordinance.12)The owner and lessee shall be jointly and severally responsible for seeing that the above regulations are observed.