Zoning Ordinance amendments concerning storage and sale of propane at commercial properties Workshop #1

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1 MEMO TO: FROM: Plan Commission Robert E. Pfeil, Village Planner DATE: July 1, 2011 SUBJECT: Zoning Ordinance amendments concerning storage and sale of propane at commercial properties Workshop #1 The Village has received a request from Blue Rhino to install propane storage cases at the three Dominick s supermarkets and the BG Pantry, 223 Dundee Rd (Dunell Center). Blue Rhino staff have indicated that Walgreens is also interested in storing and selling propane at its three stores in Buffalo Grove. The Village's current zoning regulations do not allow the sale and storage of propane at supermarkets and similar stores. Sale and storage of propane is currently allowed at gas stations in the B-2 and B-3 zoning districts and also at businesses in the B-4 district. The Village Board referred this matter to the Plan Commission on June 6, 2011 for review concerning possible amendments to the Village Zoning Ordinance. The Village s Deputy Fire Marshal and Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations have provided preliminary comments concerning issues that should be addressed in consideration of amendments to the current zoning regulations. An and code reference from the Fire Marshal are attached. The basic position of staff involved in code administration is that requests for propane storage require a level of review and regulation more stringent than other types of storage. Staff suggests that the following issues be considered in developing amendments to the current zoning regulations concerning storage and sale of propane: the location of the storage cases in relation to doors and windows of a building measures to prevent storage cases being hit by motor vehicles the need to maintain accessibility for pedestrians on sidewalks adjacent to buildings consideration of appearance, including visual screening, color of the storage cases, and signage The Commission will note that some of the locations under consideration are in zoning districts that do not currently allow storage and sale of propane. The BG Pantry (223 Dundee Rd) is zoned B-1, and the Walgreens store at 15 Buffalo Grove Road is zoned B- 5.

2 2 At the workshop on July 6, input from the Plan Commission is requested to guide staff s next steps in concerning amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. If the Commission wants specific information on any topics pertaining to the regulation of propane storage and sale, staff will do the research and provide a report. The following items are attached: 1. Village Board minutes June 6, Village Zoning Ordinance current regulations concerning storage and sale of propane 3. Village Deputy Fire Marshal and attachment, 5/6/ Request submitted by Blue Rhino concerning installation of propane cases at retail stores Robert E. Pfeil, Village Planner cc: Lynn Misener, Blue Rhino Matt DePaz, Walgreens Co.

3 Village Board minutes June 6, 2011 PROPANE SALE & STORAGE Mr. Pfeil reviewed the proposal, details of which are contained in the Village Board Meeting Agenda Item Overview that he prepared. Moved by Ottenheimer, seconded by Sussman, to refer the discussion of Zoning Ordinance amendments concerning propane sale and storage at retail stores. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows: AYES: NAYS: 6 Berman, Trilling, Sussman, Terson, Stein, Ottenheimer 0 None Motion declared carried.

4 Buffalo Grove Zoning Ordinance Current regulations concerning storage and sale of propane (July 2011) B-1 District (Limited Retail): Section D.5 - All activities as permitted or required shall be conducted within an enclosed building. The outside display or sale of liquefied petroleum gases, including propane, is prohibited. B-2 District (General Retail): Section D.5 - All activities, as permitted or required shall be conducted within an enclosed building, except as allowed herein. The outside display or sale of liquefied petroleum gases, including propane, is prohibited except at automotive fueling stations. Said fueling stations may display propane outside on a continuing basis if an enclosed and secured display cabinet is used to store said product. Said display shall be subject to approval by the Village to ensure compliance with all Village requirements. B-3 District (Planned Business Center): D.2 - No merchandise, materials, or equipment shall be stored in any open areas, but may be kept and displayed in an open area for immediate sale or temporary display. The outside display or sale of liquefied petroleum gases, including propane, is prohibited except at automotive fueling stations. Said fueling stations may display propane outside on a continuing basis if an enclosed and secured display cabinet is used to store said product. Said display shall be subject to approval by the Village to ensure compliance with all Village requirements. B-4 District (Business Services and Wholesale): D.4 - All production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing, or repair of materials, goods or products shall take place within completely enclosed buildings, except for the storage of building materials and except for the parking of motor vehicles in the open. The outside display of propane is permitted. Said display of propane may be done on a continuing basis if an enclosed and secured display cabinet is used to store said product. Said display shall be subject to approval by the Village to ensure compliance with all Village requirements. B-5 District (Town Center Planned District): D.1.e - No product merchandise, materials, or equipment shall be stored in be stored in any open area. The outside display or sale of liquefied petroleum gases, including propane, is prohibited.

5 Propane storage and cylinder exchange request George K Michehl to: Robert E Pfeil Cc: Brian Sheehan, Terry Vavra 05/06/ :27 AM From: To: Cc: History: George K Michehl/VOBG Robert E Pfeil/VOBG@VOBG Brian Sheehan <bsheehan@vbg.org>, Terry Vavra/VOBG@VOBG This message has been replied to. Bob, For your convenience I have attached the reference page from the International Fire Code concerning the exchange of propane cylinders outside of buildings. Table will provide the guidance necessary for approved storage locations of the cages based upon the quantity of LP-gas stored. The petitioner must provide the village with the weight of the total number of cylinders and then base their decision on proper placement according to the separation distances outlined in the table. Scaled sketches of proposed cage locations must be provided for each location. Sketches must indicate all doorway and window openings. I do want to emphasize that one of the petitioners exhibits was clearly in violation of this table as the cages were positioned directly underneath windows of the Walgreens. This scenario must be avoided. Please note that Section does allow the code official to conduct a site evaluation for the purpose of evaluating the need for vehicular protection. I believe that this should be done for each request and that the Deputy Fire Marshal and the Deputy Building Commissioner/Operations each concur on whether or not bollards or other protective features should be incorporated into the project to enhance public safety. NFPA 58, the Liquified Petroleum Gas Code Section also states that protection against vehicular impact shall be provided in accordance with good engineering practice where vehicular traffic is expected at the location. This is a critical component in the approval of any outside propane gas installation whether it be a permanent location or a cylinder exchange program. If you have any questions please contact me. George Michehl Deputy Fire Marshal scan document DOC pdf

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