An exemption for stores that sell Norwegian knitting needles?

...that that certain developer who paid a ton of money to Jerry Cunningham's campaign and took out an ad against the Raven Society 2 days before the election could put up metal buildings everywhere instead of just on 411S, as long as he sold food and gas, too. I'm sure he'd be happy to do so, while taking in more tenants to compete with our county-financed industrial parks.

I'm only seeing the Hearing notice, so if I'm overlooking something, let me know:

This looks to have been written by Roger Fields instead of John Lamb, because John crosses all his t's and dots his i's. This leaves lots of holes and plenty to the imagination. Our local developers do not lack in imagination.

I do not see ANY limit on size. Usually, they'll say "with a maximum square footage of 3,000 square feet" or something along those lines. The likely result of that omission would be that the Krogers on Hall Road could be planted in any neighborhood because it sells food and gas.

Another huge problem is that there are no specifications about setbacks, buffering for the neighborhood or limits on lighting (a la the sports complex resolution).

Plus, all Special Exceptions go through the BZA instead of the Planning Commission and those folks don't have the authority to turn something down if it meets the requirements. (Or at least they think they don't.) So I don't see them taking into account the ruination of a neighborhood with some Weigels turning the night sky into day 24/7.

From a smart growth standpoint, I'd be all for more little local establishments selling local farm goods, coffee, milk, and bread to save people from having to drive all the way into town when they run out. But why gasoline? That isn't something you make a special trip to go get, unless you're filling your lawnmower (and people shouldn't be mowing in this drought anyway!). I'm not willing to stick gas tanks out into the country for the occasional mower, either -- not with the requisite lighting and additional pavement that goes along with that.

go read it for yourself:
Lot Coverage. Lot coverage is addressed in the zoning regulations for
special exception commercial uses, and is related to density considerations.
Lot coverage also is a design consideration when comparing what is
appropriate in urban settings as opposed to rural settings. High lot coverage
in a rural setting will stand out and may not fit in with the general character
of an area, whereas high lot coverage in an urban setting may fit into the
more dense use of surrounding land

Maximum Size of Structure. Maximum size of structure is addressed for
special exception commercial uses, and addresses intensity of use. Size of
structure may also be a design consideration when comparing what is
appropriate in rural settings. A large building on a small parcel may stand
out and may not fit in with the general character of a rural area.

I don't have a problem with locating a convenience store/gas station in my neighborhood, I just don't like the cheep box design and 100,000 watts of lighting. A good design and low lighting would be look nice, someplace I would enjoy walking to.

Here's the new improved(?) change to the R-1 Zone that includes the specific limitations Convenience Stores/Gas pumps are subject to. (Convenience stores with gas pumps are not allowed, currently.) The initial public hearing notice didn't include any specific limitations, so this is an update. Please read it and decide whether you feel YOUR interests would be adequately protected if a Weigels popped up next to you. Nothing is said about lighting or time of operation.

That Section 9.2 Subsection C 1 is amended to read as follows:

Uses Permitted as Special Exceptions with Specific Limitations: Indoor Sport Shooting Range (Subject to provisions and requirements in Section 7.13); Outdoor Sport Shooting Range (Subject to provisions and requirements in Section 7.13); Convenience Stores with vehicle fuel sales, provided that any such convenience stores with vehicle fuel sales shall be located only with access and frontage on an arterial collector status road as specified on the Major Road Plan of any regional planning commission within the county as registered with the Register of Deeds office, and provided that any such use shall be conducted on a lot or tract of at least one acre, that any such use shall be housed in a structure with footprint no greater than 4,000 square feet, and that buffering of the use from surrounding residential land shall be constructed and maintained.

sounds like a truck stop to me.

A 4,000 sq ft FOOTPRINT is pretty darn large.

The original Convenient Stores were about 4,000 sq ft.