Lakewood passes restrictions making it harder to open new gas stations, car washes

Lakewood’s elected leaders this week clamped down on new gas stations and car washes opening up in the city, passing an ordinance that establishes buffers to limit eligible sites for new operations.

The vote during the City Council’s Monday meeting was 9-0.

Lakewood’s move comes ahead of a similar effort by the Denver City Council, which is expected to vote Tuesday on first reading of its own proposed restrictions on gas stations. A final vote in Denver is scheduled for next month.

Nearly two years ago, Louisville set a cap of six on the number of gas stations the city could have at any given time.

Lakewood’s measure requires a half-mile separation between a new gas station and those already in operation. It would also reduce the potential areas in the city where a station could open through zoning restrictions.

“The goal really is just to make sure that we’re not inundated with these types of businesses,” Councilman Jacob LaBure said during the meeting. “They can be dangerous (and) they’re contributing to our lack of ability to meet federal standards in air quality in the region.”

But a representative for QuickTrip Corp., which entered the metro Denver market only a couple of years ago and has one gas station in Lakewood, said the ordinance was a bad idea. Craig Romrell, a real estate manager for the company, said gas stations are “an incredibly important, critical component of the public’s transportation needs.”

“I believe the measure you’re considering tonight does go too far towards an outright ban for new gas stations,” he told the council. “It severely limits the ability for new entrants into the market.”