Planning commission denies rezoning for Parker’s convenience site after debate over traffic, sewer and cemetery buffer

Bryan County planning commissioners on June 17 denied a rezoning request for a 3.832‑acre outparcel at the southwest corner of Belfast River Road and Highway 144 that would have allowed a Parker’s convenience store and fuel station to develop a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot store and fueling positions.

Staff recommended approval of the rezoning from A‑5 to B‑2 (General Commercial) with conditions including county review and payment of required Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)‑recommended turn lanes, GDOT approvals for access to State Route 144, acquisition of sewer easements if necessary and connection to county sewer when available. Despite those conditions and an applicant presentation, the commission ultimately voted to deny the rezoning.

Brett, the county planner who presented the application, said the proposed rezoning matched the comprehensive plan’s suburban and village‑center guidance and that a completed TIA estimated the project would generate about 1,283 trips and require full left and right turn lanes onto Belfast River Road and Highway 144. “They do fall in the county water and sewer service district,” Brett said, noting sewer may require easements and that “the applicant shall be responsible for all costs associated with the traffic improvements recommended in the TIA.”

Brian Klauser of Kimley Horn, representing the applicant, said standard construction documents will include a photometric lighting plan to direct light downward and minimize off‑site glare. Tiffany Jackson of Parker’s said the site would not include a separate diesel canopy and would be similar to other Parker’s Kitchen locations in the area.

Commission discussion focused on lighting near the nearby Burnt Church Cemetery (a 50‑foot buffer applies), truck traffic and septic/sewer connections. One commissioner announced during the hearing they would vote against the request; at the meeting’s close the commission revisited the Parker’s item and a motion to deny carried by a 3‑1 vote.

The staff conditions that were part of the record and which the developer would have had to satisfy included: bearing the cost of traffic improvements from the TIA; providing an updated plan showing on‑site septic if public sewer connection proved infeasible; connecting to county sewer when available; and obtaining all Georgia Department of Transportation approvals for any state route access prior to construction permits. The concept plan in the packet showed eight fueling positions and 61 parking spaces.

With the denial by the planning commission, the application will not advance from this advisory body. A developer could revise the proposal and return at a later date, or pursue the matter with the Board of Commissioners, which makes the final decision on rezoning applications after receiving staff and advisory commissions’ recommendations.