The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Tuesday, Oct. 27 of the installation of two additional fuel pumps and a canopy extension at the RaceTrac gas station at 665 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.
Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien said the applicant had originally applied to install 10 fuel pumps when the gas station and convenience store was approved in 2016, and the Royal Palm Beach Village Council had limited it to its current configuration of four pump islands and eight pumps.
When first proposed, the RaceTrac project generated significant opposition. Limiting the pumps until traffic in the area could be evaluated was one of the conditions the village placed on the approval.
“The applicant had suggested that at a future date, the additional two fuel pumps would be revisited after observing functionality of the site,” O’Brien said. “Right now, they feel the addition of two additional fuel pumps is warranted and is appropriate, and staff agrees with that.”
Brian Terry with Insite Studio, representing RaceTrac, said the applicant wanted to preserve the opportunity to come back to the village and reapply for the pumps that had been denied originally.
“I think we’re at that day, and we appreciate your support,” Terry said.
Commissioner Adam Miller asked if there was an issue at the original time of approval, and O’Brien said the council was concerned that the installation of 10 pumps might be too intense for the location.
“They limited it to eight pumps with the idea that they would evaluate the functionality of the site over a period of time with the eight pumps and re-evaluate the additional two pumps if, in fact, the pumps functioned properly and adding two additional pumps would be appropriate and still maintain functionality of the site,” O’Brien said.
Terry said the original design of the site had never changed, although it was built with one less fueling island.
“Originally it was designed with the 10 overall pumps,” Terry said. “When it was determined at the council meeting to reduce it to eight, the remainder of the site plan remained the same. That’s why, in essence, the site plan amendment is only the inclusion of those two additional pumps and the additional canopy. No other site modifications are required.”
He said there were vehicle stacking concerns at the busy intersection, but that has not turned out to be a problem.
“It was something that we addressed back during the original approval, but I think now that it has been operating and everybody has had an opportunity to visit the store, it works well,” Terry said. “I think, quite frankly, it will only be more convenient with the additional pumps, with no wait lines, and it will allow for easier access.”
Commissioner Philip Marquis asked if the underground work had been done, and Terry said all that work had been done, and the hookup would require minimal construction.
He added that construction would begin next year if the application were approved.
“They will have to submit building permits and work through that process,” Terry said.
There was no public comment or objections to the application.
Marquis made a motion to approve the application, which carried 5-0.
