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Commission approves drive‑through for proposed AMPM travel center on U.S. 80 after residents object
Summary
The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners voted 4‑2 to allow a drive‑through window at a proposed AMPM travel center on U.S. Highway 80 and Burkhalter Road, but the project must still pass a required traffic study and Planning & Zoning site‑plan review.
The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners voted 4‑2 to approve a conditional‑use permit that would allow a drive‑through window at a proposed AMPM convenience/travel center on U.S. Highway 80 at Burkhalter Road.
Planning and development director James Pope introduced the item as a conditional‑use request filed by Manpreet Singh, agent for AMPM Convenience Stores Inc., for a portion of a 6‑acre parcel that is already zoned Highway Commercial. "The truck stop can go there without any change to zoning," Pope said, explaining the board was deciding only whether to permit the drive‑through accessory use.
The request drew several public comments. Resident Jay Hutchins said the community had not been adequately consulted and listed potential adverse effects, including traffic, air quality and crime. "We should consider the community and the adverse affects that it's gonna have on traffic," Hutchins said. Nearby homeowners cited concerns about decreased property values, diesel emissions and nighttime activity.
The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval, 5‑0, and staff told commissioners the application includes plans for vehicle stacking at the drive‑through and that a traffic study is required before final site‑plan approval. Pope said the adjacent planned‑unit development developer has committed to extend a 12‑inch water main and fire hydrants down Burkhalter Road to serve the area.
Commission discussion focused on traffic access. Several commissioners said Burkhalter Road is a county road and expressed concerns about additional traffic entering and exiting two proposed access points on that road. Commissioner Ray Davis said, "I'm concerned that any more traffic on this highway or intersection...Burkhalter Road is a county highway. I'm concerned about that." Commissioners noted the traffic study and Planning & Zoning review remain required steps before building permits would be issued.
With the motion to approve the drive‑through, the board also recorded the vote tally: four in favor, two opposed. The motion did not specify a mover and seconder in the public transcript. The decision allows the applicant to proceed to the next steps: complete the traffic study, present a conceptual site plan to Planning & Zoning and obtain any required permits before construction can begin.
The board did not change the parcel's underlying Highway Commercial zoning; staff and commissioners emphasized the drive‑through approval is limited to the accessory use requested and does not itself grant a building permit or final plan approval.
For now, the application remains conditional on the traffic study and Planning & Zoning approvals; commissioners said they expect those reviews to scrutinize access points and buffering to nearby residential lots.
