Goodyear looking at changing some business uses in zoning amendments

The city of Goodyear is looking at changing some designations within its zoning ordinance that would do away with the need for special-use permits.

City Planning Manager Christian Williams, in presenting the discussion to the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Commission on March 16, said the proposals would affect mini-storage units, gas stations, car washes and drive-thru services among others.

All of those functions now require a special-use permit to be in designated zoning areas, typically those slated for commercial or industrial zoning. Any potential changes, however, would come with added stipulations for such businesses to operate in various zonings.
Commissioners did not vote on the proposals.

Gas stations would be allowed in many C-1 and C-2 commercial districts but must be at least 250 feet from a residential area or separated by a road, canal or railroad.

Retailers like Safeway or Fry’s that have a location larger than 50,000 square feet would be allowed to have a gas station also without a special-use permit. And no more than one gas station would be permitted within a quarter mile of an arterial-to-arterial intersection among other requirements, according to the proposal.

Mini-storage facilities also would be allowed in C-1 and C-2 zonings on a maximum of 7.5 acres. They also would not be allowed within 300 feet of a major intersection without a use permit, would not be able to locate within 1,500 feet of another storage center, and would not be allowed to have outdoor RV storage permitted within commercial centers.

The facilities would not be allowed to be more than 50% of a commercial site, under the proposal, according to the plan.
Car washes would be the same, but only allowed under C-2 designation, again not within 300 feet of a major intersection and must be separated by 300 feet from a residential area.

Drive-thrus also be allowed in commercial districts. It would limit such businesses to one for each 5-acre commercial center and develop a new category to allow for drive-thrus on “end caps” of commercial buildings.

Auto repair facilities would keep existing requirements for commercial districts in which they are allowed, and they must be kept 250 feet from residential areas.