By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Zoning Board of Appeals voted last to allow two gas stations to exceed city rules for signage, lighting, canopy height, front setback and concrete coverage.
The variances were granted to QuikTrip, which is building a new “travel center” on the east side of Interstate 75, and to Speedway/7-Eleven, which is expanding its current site on the west side of I-75.
Speedway, at 1650 E. Wooster St., is expanding to the east to include the demolished site formerly operated by BP. Laura Trendler, on behalf of 7-Eleven/Speedway, described the need for four zoning code variances.
First, the gas station would exceed the 60% maximum lot coverage by impervious surfaces rule. While the site would have 76% coverage by impervious surfaces, Trendler said that is actually less than the current coverage.
Second, the proposed lighting under the fuel canopy would exceed the maximum outdoor lighting level. Trendler said the lighting level is intended to allow employees to see the pump area from inside, and to make customers feel safe pumping gas at night. She added that the type of lighting being used will create little “light spill” beyond the canopy.
Third, the company requested the construction of four wall signs and one canopy sign, in addition to the two existing pylon signs by the roadway and to be seen from the highway. This would exceed the maximum number of three signs allowed per business by four signs. Trendler said the additional signage is needed to be seen by traffic traveling both directions on East Wooster Street, and to identify the restaurant – Raise the Roost – inside the gas station convenience store.
And fourth, the signage would exceed the 336 square feet maximum by another 214 square feet.
Zoning board member Julie Broadwell noted her dislike of “sign pollution,” but all of Speedway’s requests were granted.
On the other side of I-75, the proposed QuikTrip travel center also requested two zoning variances. The business will be located in the southeast corner of South Dunbridge Road and East Wooster Street, just to the west of the Holiday Inn Express and across the road from the Meijer gas station.
The first request was to allow construction of an auto fuel canopy and a diesel fuel canopy that would exceed the 18-foot maximum height permitted.
The second request was to allow construction of a 79 foot by 113 foot travel center, which would exceed the 60 foot maximum front yard setback by 105 feet along East Wooster Street and by 88 feet from South Dunbridge Road.
A representative of QuikTrip told the zoning board that the layout would allow the business to have separate locations and entrances for the fueling stations for semi-trucks and automobiles.
“We don’t get diesels at that exit, but we will now,” zoning board member Jerry Anderson noted.
Though QuikTrip did not ask for a variance for signage, the company representative said that will likely be forthcoming.
Also at the meeting, the board approved a variance for Nicholas Boulis, 929 Sand Ridge Road, to allow the construction of a 25 foot by 35 foot parking pad in the front yard. According to the zoning code, parking pads are only allowed in side or rear yards.
Bowling Green Planning Director Heather Sayler explained the zoning rule as a way to keep front yards from being used as parking lots. But Boulis said the 35 foot by 25 foot parking pad is needed for safety, and will allow the household to turn around rather than having to back onto Sand Ridge Road near a curve.
