To provide for the uniform application of developmental, operational, and locational criteria and standards for the maintenance of service stations throughout the City, and to assure the development, maintenance, and operation of service stations within the City in a manner which best serves the interest of the business community and the health, safety, peace, convenience, comfort, and general welfare of the public.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72)

A minimum lot area of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet shall be required for each new service station site. The Zoning Administrator may approve a lesser size site if the applicant can demonstrate excellence of design and layout compatible with such lesser lot size.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 1130.186, eff. 12-6-78)

A site development plan shall be submitted in connection with an application for a Use Permit for every new service station. Such plan shall be drawn to a minimum scale of one (1) inch = twenty (20) feet, and shall show the location of adjacent property and the zoning thereof, proposed landscaping and sprinkler systems, curbs, driveways, parking facilities, buildings, property lines, center line and width of existing rights-of-way, building elevations, storm drainage, walls, fences, and all locational and descriptive dimensions. A topographical survey may be required by the Zoning Administrator in the case of a sloping site.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 1130.186, eff. 12-6-78)

The design of the site shall take into account the following factors:

A.

The existence of sufficient variety in the design of structures and grounds to avoid monotony in the external appearance.

B.

The size and design of structures in proportion to the building site and the balance and unity among a structure's external features so that each structure will present a harmonious appearance with other structures on the site.

C.

The extent to which each structure presents an architecturally harmonious appearance with, and conforms to, the general character of other structures in the vicinity insofar as the character can be ascertained and is found to be architecturally desirable.

D.

The extent to which ornamentation is to be used and the extent to which temporary and secondhand materials, or materials which are imitative of other materials, are to be used for the structure. Materials, textures, and colors shall be compatible with surrounding designs and uses. Reflective, glossy, and fluorescent materials or devices shall not be permitted.

E.

The extent to which natural features, including trees, shrubs, creeks and rocks, and the natural grade of the site are to be retained.

F.

The extent to which sufficient space is provided to service vehicles efficiently.

G.

All service station development shall meet City off-street parking and maneuvering standards, and shall make adequate provision for the safe and orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians; that the arrangement of structures, islands, driveways, parking, and landscaping shall be designed so as to provide easy access to all portions of the service station, to efficiently serve the motoring needs of the public, and to least adversely affect adjacent properties; that the development shall provide two (2) parking spaces for each service bay, not including the bay, plus one (1) space for each employee on duty, with a minimum of three (3) employee spaces.

H.

Driveways shall be designed and located to ensure safe and efficient movement of traffic on and off the site from the lane of traffic nearest the curb. Such driveways shall comply with the provisions of the Redwood City Code relating to driveways.

I.

In order to assure adequate sight clearance at street intersections, visual obstructions shall be prohibited on that portion of sites located at street intersections consisting of that triangular area bounded by two (2) sides forty (40) feet in length measured along the curb lines of the site from the point of intersection of said curb lines, and the third side of which is described by a line connecting the points located on each such curb line forty (40) feet from the intersection thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, plants and signs not exceeding three (3) feet in height may be permitted in such area and trees may be permitted therein if trimmed or maintained so that the branches or foliage thereof extend no lower than ten (10) feet from the ground.

J.

Drainage shall be collected on-site and directed into a storm drainage system approved by the Public Works Department. Drainage shall not be discharged across adjacent public or private property or across sidewalks and driveways.

K.

Cigarette or soft drink dispensing areas shall be integrated within the design of the service station site, and shall be within an enclosed structure and otherwise shall be prohibited.

L.

Lighting facilities shall be designed, controlled, and maintained so that no light source on the property shall be of such high intensity as to cause a traffic hazard and so that no direct light source is visible from any location not on the site. No such facility shall be higher than twenty (20) feet above finished grade.

M.

Hydraulic hoists or drive-on racks and service pits shall be located within the main structure.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72)

A.

The design of all permanent signs shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator, and shall comply with the provisions of the Redwood City Code relating to advertising signs.

B.

There shall be no signs, banners, pennants, flags, spinners, or any such similar attracting device displayed at any time, which have not been approved by the Zoning Administrator. During an initial grand opening, (defined as that single thirty (30)-day period immediately following the opening of business to the public of a new service station), banners and flags, only, may be utilized in connection with such opening without prior permission of the Zoning Administrator. There shall be no A-frame or portable-type signs allowed on service station sites. All signs and attracting devices of a non-permanent nature which are on any service station site upon the effective date of this section and which have not been approved by the Zoning Administrator shall, within ninety (90) days after said effective date, be removed or otherwise made to comply with the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 130.186, eff. 12-6-78)

A.

A detailed landscape plan shall be submitted in connection with an application for a Use Permit for every new service station showing the location, size, and species of all proposed plant materials.

B.

Landscaped areas shall be established on all service station sites. Landscaping shall comprise a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the net site area, defined as that site area excluding the area covered by structures and gasoline pumps. In certain areas of higher land uses or smaller lot sizes a lesser percent may be approved by the Zoning Administrator if the Zoning Administrator finds that the proposed landscape area is of excellent design. The landscaping in such areas shall be designed so as not to obstruct necessary sight distances and traffic flow, shall offer adjacent residential and commercial properties a degree of visual screening, shall provide for reduction of noise emanating from the station, and shall be of such quality as to enhance the site and maintain the character and integrity of the neighborhood.

C.

Driveway and corner planters shall be required, and the planting material shall not exceed three (3) feet in height, and shall be generally low-maintenance plant materials which will not obstruct the view of drivers and customers. All other planters shall be located so as not to obstruct necessary sight distances or traffic flow.

D.

All landscaped areas shall be separated from paved areas by a minimum six (6)-inch high concrete curb.

E.

A sprinkler system shall be provided in all landscaped areas, and landscaping shall be maintained at all times.

F.

All service stations, existing upon the effective date of this section which do not meet the minimum provisions for landscaping as provided in subsections B through E above inclusive, shall comply with said provisions within three (3) years of the effective date of this section.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 1130.186, eff. 12-6-78)

A.

Materials, textures, colors, and design of fences, walls, and screening shall be compatible with the on-site development, the adjacent properties, and the neighborhood. Fences or walls shall be solid and constructed of materials such as masonry, or wood and masonry, when used in connection with a service station adjacent to residential development and shall be six (6) feet in height. Fences, walls, or screening within the first twenty (20) feet of the street right-of-way line shall not be over three (3) feet in height.

B.

All service stations, existing upon the effective date of this section which do not meet the minimum provisions for fences, walls, or screening as provided for herein, shall comply with the provisions hereof within three (3) years of the effective date of this section.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72)

A.

Any outdoor storage or refuse area shall be fenced or screened from view and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator as to location and design.

B.

All service stations, existing upon the effective date of this section which do not meet the minimum provisions for outdoor storage and refuse areas as provided for herein, shall comply with the provisions hereof within two (2) years of the effective date of this section.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 1130.186, eff. 12-6-78)

A.

The operation of every service station shall be confined to normal vehicle service station activities as described in Article 2. Service station activities conducted outside of enclosed buildings shall be limited to the dispensing of gasoline, oil, water, and pressured air and the changing of tires and minor servicing.

B.

Outside displays shall be limited to one (1) oil rack at each pump island, one (1) accessory structure such as a temporary promotional merchandising stand or shelter, and one (1) tire display rack, or a combination of tire display racks holding a total of not more than twelve (12) tires. All outside displays shall be kept within seven (7) feet of the main structure or any pump island.

C.

Uses inconsistent with primary service station activities, including the sale or rental of boats, two (2)-wheeled vehicles, trucks, cars, all types of trailers or mobile homes, groceries, dairy products, garden supplies, and any other similar uses of a storage or sales nature, are prohibited unless conducted pursuant to the provisions of a Use Permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.

D.

Noise from service station activities shall be muffled so as not to become objectionable due to intermittence, beat frequency, or shrillness, and the decibel level measured at property lines shall not exceed street background noise normally occurring at the location of the site.

E.

Service stations located in neighborhood commercial centers and sites adjoining residentially zoned or residentially developed property shall not commence operations before 6:00 a.m., and shall terminate operations not later than 11:00 p.m. Display signs and product and service station identification signs on such sites shall not be lighted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

F.

All service stations, existing upon the effective date of this section which do not meet the standards and provisions governing operations as provided for in this section, shall comply with the provisions hereof within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this section.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72: Ord. 1130.186, eff. 12-6-78: Ord. 1130.263, eff. 3-20-89)

(Ord. No. 1130-353, § 1(Exh. F), 6-27-11)

Every permittee who shall receive a Use Permit pursuant to the provision of this article shall comply with all City, County, State, and Federal laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations relating to the operation of service stations.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72)

All Use Permits for every service station shall provide that the permittee shall maintain the site and all buildings and improvements thereon in a neat, clean, and orderly condition and, further, that in the event the service station is not used for normal service station activities as described in Article 2, such permittee shall continue to maintain all buildings and improvements, notwithstanding the cessation of such operation. Such permit shall further provide that, in the event the permittee fails to perform the maintenance required hereunder, the City may perform all activities necessary for such maintenance, the cost of which shall be a lien on the property on which the service station is located.

(Ord. 1130.145, eff. 10-18-72)

(Ord. No. 1130-353, § 1(Exh. F), 6-27-11)