2011 Connecticut Code
Title 14 Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway By Vehicles. Gasoline
Chapter 250 Gasoline and Motor Oil Sales
Sec. 14-321. Approval of gasoline station location by local authorities.

      Sec. 14-321. Approval of gasoline station location by local authorities. Any person who desires to obtain a license for the sale of gasoline or any other product, under the provisions of section 14-319, shall first obtain and present to the commissioner a certificate of approval of the location for which such license is desired. The certificate of approval shall be obtained from the zoning commission, planning and zoning commission or local authority of the town, city or borough where the station or pump is located or is proposed to be located. A certificate of approval shall not be required in the case of the transfer of the last issued license from one person to another provided no more than one year has elapsed since the expiration of such license, or in the case of a renewal of a license by the holder of the license, or in the case of the addition or discontinuance of pumps. If adjoining physical properties are altered or changed, the applicant shall conform to the provisions of this section. The commissioner shall not issue any license under the provisions of section 14-319 for which a certificate of approval is a prerequisite unless the certificate is presented to him within three years after the date on which it was issued.

      (1949 Rev., S. 2538; February, 1965, P.A. 229; P.A. 82-460, S. 7; P.A. 84-429, S. 44; P.A. 03-184, S. 4.)

      History: 1965 act changed provision re transfer of station to transfer of the last issued license and added requirement that license not be issued if a required certificate has not been presented within three years of its issuance; P.A. 82-460 provided that a license cannot be transferred if more than one year has elapsed since its expiration; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions, substituted term "local authority" for definitional language and made other technical changes; P.A. 03-184 added provision authorizing a zoning commission or planning and zoning commission to issue a certificate of approval.

      See Sec. 14-331 re revocation or suspension of license.

      Authority of mayor to issue or refuse certificate of approval of location. 109 C. 586. Denial of certificate of approval is reviewable only to determine if it was arbitrary, illegal or in abuse of discretion. 110 C. 80; 128 C. 264; id., 354. 1927 act applies in New Haven, and authority is in mayor, not board of appeals, by virtue of exception in 1929 act. 123 C. 311; 128 C. 264. 1927 act held unconstitutional; this section is an amendment of the 1929 act and does not apply to New Haven. 128 C. 701, 706. Cited. 134 C. 150. Plaintiff held not a "holder" seeking renewal of license and application must be based upon certificate of approval by the zoning board of appeals. 135 C. 706. Cited. 138 C. 326; Id., 453. Cited. 139 C. 681. Cit4ed. 140 C. 622, 650. In passing on an application for a certificate of approval for the use of certain property for the retail sale of gasoline, a zoning board of appeals serves, not in a zoning capacity, but as an agent of the state to pass upon suitability of the location in view of traffic and other conditions, and to determine whether the proposed use of the location would imperil the safety of the public. 142 C. 64. Zoning board of appeals is acting as agency of the state in determining suitability. 143 C. 316. Cited. 144 C. 61. When acting under this section, a board of appeals is not dealing primarily with zoning but is performing a separate function delegated to it as an agency of the state. 147 C. 517; 148 C. 507. Cited. 149 C. 513. Prior to 1965 amendment, dicta to effect certificate of local authority must be presented within reasonable time after approval granted. Id., 516. For the board validly to reverse an earlier decision by granting a subsequent application for approval of the same location, there has to be a showing of material change in conditions, that is, a change which militated against the objections formerly relied on. 150 C. 75. Cited. Id., 511, 559. Board acts as an agent of the state under this section and section 14-322, its sole function being to determine if the site in question will be suitable according to statutory criteria designed to promote and protect the public safety. 153 C. 95. Disapproval of application on grounds of potential traffic hazard anticipated from planned nearby shopping center was within discretion of board. Id., 257. When acting under this section, zoning board of appeals is acting as a special statutory agent of the state. Id., 259. Cited. Id., 433. Where plaintiff's application to board does not make it clear whether a permit under the zoning ordinance or an approval under the statutes is requested, the board must decide each issue separately and the required number of votes for each must be met in order for the application to be approved. 154 C. 32, 36. Cited. Id., 540. Probative value of conflicting evidence of suitability of property is for the board to decide. 155 C. 350. Zoning board acting under this section as special statutory agent of state is governed by requirements of section 14-322. Id., 539. Nonconforming use as gasoline station may survive period when station had been used for automobile repair work. 158 C. 86. In passing upon application for approval of location, zoning board as administrative agency of state is required to hold hearing Id., 208. Proceedings under this section and section 14-322 are not zoning matters. Certificate of approval should not be issued where location is violative of zoning regulations. 159 C. 234. Cited. 170 C. 154.

      Cited. 3 CA 556.

      Station operator enjoined by motor vehicle commissioner where zoning board issued certificate of approval in error. 1 CS 165. Cited. 4 CS 462. History discussed. 5 CS 1. Authority of zoning board to issue certificate of approval. Id. Statute not applicable to municipalities it did not affect before 1935. Id., 214. Cited. 8 CS 277; Id., 499. Constitutionality. 10 CS 462. Cited. 26 CS 476. Hearing provided for in section 14-322 must take place not less than two nor more than four weeks from filing of application and not merely be assigned during that period for some future date. 27 CS 112.