Planning commission recommends annexation and rezoning for 1.46‑acre parcel near Highway 515 and Highway 108

The Jasper City Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the annexation of approximately 1.46 acres and rezone the site to the city's C-2 general commercial district to allow redevelopment as a gas station, convenience store and truck stop.

City planning staff told the commission the subject property lies just southeast of the intersection of Highway 515 and Highway 108 and includes the southern third of a larger site that formerly contained Dunn's restaurant, gas station and truck stop. "Clifford Petroleum is now proposing to redevelop the property to the north as well as the subject property with a new gas station convenience store and truck stop," planning staff said.

The change is intended to combine the annexation area with an existing incorporated parcel to create a single development parcel. "Annexation area will be required to be legally combined with the remaining portion of the development prior to receiving site plan approval," staff said. Staff recommended approval of both the annexation and the rezoning subject to conditions that include completing the legal lot combination and an acknowledgement that approval does not itself guarantee future water or sewer capacity.

Applicant representative Danny Dangler told the commission he represents Jones Oil and Cutler Petroleum. "I would actually, I guess, represent 2 people, Jones Oil and Cutler Petroleum," Dangler said, adding the firms intend to use the annexed area mainly for truck parking and one diesel pump and to regrade and landscape the site.

Staff said the site is served by existing city water and sewer lines that previously served the demolished Dunn's site, and that it is consistent with the Pickens County Joint Comprehensive Plan's designation for the Jasper arterial corridor, which promotes freight movement along Highway 515. "Staff does not believe that there'll be any meaningful burden on public services or infrastructure with this development," the planning presentation said. Staff also noted the applicant has been in discussions with the Georgia Department of Transportation about intersection mitigation, including adding a southbound left‑turn lane on Highway 515.

Commissioners discussed the required lot combination and the condition that the annexation not be read as a commitment of utility capacity. The Pickens County Board of Commissioners had previously placed the item on their March 17 agenda and "stated for the record that they did not intend to object," staff said.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the annexation and, separately, the rezoning to C-2 with the conditions noted. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which has the final decision on annexation and zoning.

Next steps: if the council approves the annexation ordinance, the applicant must legally combine the annexed portion with the incorporated parcel before site plan approval can be finalized.