Gas Station Ban Under Consideration By Portland Board

PORTLAND, CT — The Town of Portland is considering altering its regulations to ban the building of future gas stations.

The item is on the Planning and Zoning Commission's agenda for Aug. 6.

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Simultaneously, an application is before the board for a gas station and convenience store at 1373 Portland Cobalt Road along Route 66.

Plans call for a 3,750 gas station and convenience store with a drive-thru and a 4,000-square-foot retail building on a 2.2-acre property. There will also be 40 parking spaces.

A Portland town official said that the call for the ban comes as the commission feels the town has too many gas stations, according to Hearst Connecticut Media. The proposal would add a 10th gas station in Portland.

The proposed amendment would not actually affect the current application, which is being reviewed under existing rules.

Portland would join a small but growing number of towns changing its regulations on gas stations.

The Old Lyme Planning Commission voted last year to remove gas stations as a permitted use. East Hartford has approved an 18-month moratorium on gas stations, according to Hearst Connecticut Media.