Neighbor voices safety and quality concerns over proposed gas station on Daniel Drive

Smyrna — A resident told the Smyrna Mayor and Council Monday she is worried about a proposed gas-station and food-mart development at the top of Daniel Drive where it meets Atlanta Road, citing safety and community concerns.

Elizabeth Hardy of 861 Daniel Drive said the property is zoned General Commercial, which allows the proposed use, but she asked the council and staff to reconsider the access location and said similar facilities nearby have attracted loitering and other problems. "They're awful," Hardy said of other gas-mart sites she identified along Atlanta Road, listing concerns including drug paraphernalia and gambling machines.

Hardy said the proposed site sits on a tight approach and expressed concern that vehicles would use Daniel Drive for ingress and egress. She said she had spoken with city staff (Rusty Martin and Mark) and had been told that an exception for the access point is being considered and that the county would also review the access because the parcel sits at the dividing line between city and county jurisdictions.

Councilmember Wilkinson confirmed the property is in Ward 5 and noted that the site is the first property in the city when traveling south on Atlanta Road. City staff said the project might not come before the council because the parcel is already zoned general commercial, but added access and any variances would be subject to county and city review as appropriate.

The council did not vote on the matter during the meeting; staff said they would look into the access question and any permits or variances required.