Staff to present UDC gas‑station amendments to council and seek moratorium extension

Planning staff told the Indio Planning Commission that they have prepared draft Unified Development Code amendments that would place geographic limits and new design standards on new gas station proposals, including increased landscaping and an EV charger requirement.

Staff said the draft is scheduled for an initial presentation to city council next week; the council will review the draft and staff expects to revise it before returning it to the commission. In the meantime, staff said they will ask council for a 60‑day extension of the moratorium that currently prevents new gas station applications from being filed.

"We have a draft of UDC code amendments," staff said, explaining the draft includes limits on where new gas stations can go, new design standards and an EV charger requirement. Staff described the moratorium extension as a temporary measure to allow the council and commission to complete the amendment process.

Staff noted the moratorium extension is a council action and said the council item is scheduled for an upcoming meeting (staff referenced March 4), where council will consider extending the existing moratorium for an additional 60 days.

The commission heard the briefing and asked clarifying questions; no formal action on the amendments or moratorium was taken by the commission because the moratorium extension is a council item. Staff said they will bring the draft UDC amendments back through the council and commission review process.