MK Energy presents rezoning, convenience-store plan at South Fulton community zoning meeting

Andre Washington, counsel for MK Energy, presented a proposal at the City of South Fulton community zoning information meeting Oct. 6 to rezone an approximately 3.61-acre parcel and obtain a special-use permit to operate a convenience store with fuel pumps anchored in a multi-tenant commercial building.

Washington described the proposal as a roughly 12,600-square-foot commercial building split among five tenant spaces, with the convenience store serving as the anchor. "The site will have approximately 12,600 square foot square feet of space for of commercial space, split amongst 5 tenant properties," Washington said. He said tenant spaces would be about 1,700–1,800 square feet each under the current concept but that the configuration could change.

The application filed for the community meeting requests a rezoning "from AG 1 to CU C2" and a special-use permit to operate a convenience store with fuel pumps; the filing also requests a future land-use amendment to change the character area from rural neighborhood to community work-live. The transcript identifies the parcel as "0 Hamilton Fairburn Road" and Washington described it as along Campbellton-Fairburn Road; the record also notes the parcel sits near the South Fulton border adjacent to Union City and within view of the Cedar Grove Overlay District. The transcript contains differing road names; applicants and staff should confirm the authoritative legal description in the formal filing.

Washington emphasized design compatibility with the Cedar Grove Overlay District, saying the development would meet overlay standards for materials, setbacks and landscaping. "The district has certain architectural standards that are expected, in terms of Stackstone and, setbacks and landscaping," Washington said, adding that the goal is a "neighborhood serving type commercial set of uses," not simply a gas station.

A resident asked how close the nearest gas station is; Washington replied a Chevron is within a three-mile radius but that he did not know an exact distance. Washington and other speakers discussed local concerns about clustering of gasoline retail sites. Washington said the community commonly resists low-quality or poorly maintained development and that his client seeks to provide a higher-quality, complementary mix of tenants. Reggie McLinthe, managing director for the Community Development and Regulatory Affairs Department, asked about proximity to residential uses and the dimensions of the proposed convenience store and associated uses; Washington responded that AG-1 in the area is zoned residential and reiterated the 12,600-square-foot building footprint and tenant-size estimates.

Washington said renderings are being prepared and expected to be available by the planning commission hearing. He also said the applicant is scheduling its public participation meeting and will post details soon; during the meeting he said scheduling would be updated within 48 to 72 hours and that more detailed renderings would be available by the planning commission hearing.

City planning staff reiterated administrative process dates: the public participation report (Form E) and proof of mailings are due Nov. 7, the planning commission will hear the case on Nov. 19, and the mayor and council public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9. Staff also noted a public notification sign must be picked up by Oct. 28 and the sign affidavit notarized.

No formal vote occurred during this community zoning information meeting; the presentation was informational and the proposal will proceed to the planning commission and mayor and council hearings for formal action.