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Cobb commissioners hold Austell convenience-store rezoning after DOT raises traffic concerns
Summary
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners paused a proposed Austell convenience store and fuel station rezoning after county transportation staff said the applicant's traffic study predicts severe morning delays at a nearby u-turn and urged a lower-intensity site plan; the applicant said the store would sell beer and wine.
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners on June 17 voted 4-0 to hold a rezoning request for a proposed convenience store and fuel station on Austell Road after county transportation staff said the site's traffic study shows a future "level of service F" at a nearby southbound u-turn and recommended a lower-intensity plan.
The hold gives the applicant two months to revise the site plan and address Department of Transportation comments; the case will return to the board on Aug. 19.
Why it matters: Cobb DOT staff said the intersection and a nearby u-turn would experience excessive delay if the project proceeds as currently proposed, and warned state signalization rules mean a traffic signal is unlikely to be approved at that location. The applicant said it has completed required studies and submitted plans but will need to revise the site intensity if it proceeds.
Amin Chagani, who identified himself as the applicant representative, told the board the development would include a retail building with a drive-through and a convenience store and that the team had submitted a traffic study, landscaping and architectural plans. "We have already, provided everything we've been going through for last seven months," Chagani said during his presentation.
Amy Diaz, a Cobb County Department of Transportation engineer, told the board the applicant's traffic study was accepted but flagged a specific concern: a southbound u-turn at Chamberlain Circle on Austell Road would degrade to level-of-service F in the AM peak. "First of all, it's a GDOT roadway, and they have very strict signalization requirements," Diaz said. "We would not recommend a signal at that location." She said the study's findings prompted DOT to ask for a lower trip-generation site plan or other design changes to reduce AM peak delay.
After DOT testimony, Commissioner Allen moved to hold the case pending a revised site plan and resolution of DOT comments. The motion, amended to a two-month continuance, passed unanimously. The board recorded the motion as a hold pending the site-plan revision and other items in DLT comments; the vote was 4-0 with Chairwoman Cupid absent.
The applicant confirmed on the record that the convenience store would sell beer and wine if developed. "It's gonna be beer and wine," Chagani said when asked by a commissioner whether alcohol sales were planned.
The board did not take a final vote on rezoning and left the case open until the applicant submits the revised site plan and addresses department comments. The record shows DOT will re-review the revised plan and advise the board when the issues have been resolved.
