Gas station ban

A Sonoma County climate activist urged the council to reject any amendment to the gas station ban, citing the town's own greenhouse gas policies.

A founder of the coalition opposing new gas stations urged keeping the ordinance as-is, citing climate urgency, air pollution, groundwater risks, and falling gasoline sales.

Coalition coordinator urged keeping the 2022 ban, arguing the business case for new gas stations is collapsing and cleanup costs fall on municipalities.

Sonoma County Conservation Action representative urged keeping the ban in the strongest terms, calling gas stations non-benign infrastructure.

California Fuels and Convenience Alliance representative urged full repeal, calling a big-box-only carve-out an affront to local businesses and noting not everyone can afford an EV.

Local Redwood Oil/Aztec Grill representative argued a Costco-only gas carve-out would be unfair competition against longtime local businesses investing millions in Windsor.

A former state underground tank inspector and 30-year Windsor resident urged keeping the ban, citing a nearby site still contaminated from a 1987 tank leak.

A local business owner said Windsor residents and businesses buy fuel elsewhere, noted he would personally build a station if the ban lifts, and questioned out-of-town testimony.

Windsor resident argued gas is 50 cents cheaper in nearby towns, urged repealing the regressive ban, and noted Safeway and Walmart operate gas stations elsewhere.

Cited Kincade Fire evacuation gas lines as common-sense safety reason to allow more stations and urged reversing the ban.