Commission postpones vote on gas station buffer variances after residents voice traffic, safety concerns

The Columbia County Planning Commission voted May 15 to postpone action on variance requests for a proposed Parker's Kitchen gas station and convenience store at 3900 Washington Road, citing outstanding design issues and extensive public concern about traffic and neighborhood impacts.

The application seeks relief from Columbia County Code buffer and separation rules (staff referenced Section 90-139 and Section 90-147) to allow construction of a gas station building and fuel operations closer than the code’s typical separation distance from adjacent single-family residences. Staff presented an updated site plan received the afternoon of the meeting and recommended approval with multiple conditions — including a planted buffer, a replacement opaque fence, relocation of generators and dumpsters away from the residential lot line, photometric plans to prevent light spillover, and reduced parking adjacent to the residences.

Daniel Ben Israel, real estate development manager for Parker’s Kitchen, described negotiations with staff and outlined possible changes to the prototype and parking. “We’re definitely going to make sure that there’s no, light pollution on those, residential properties,” he said. Ben Israel said the company would consider reducing the store footprint and altering fueling and canopy dimensions to create more room for buffers and parking rearrangement.

Several nearby residents told the commission they worry the development will route vehicles through neighborhood streets and increase large-vehicle traffic. Kimberly Younts, a nearby resident, asked for stronger access controls: “One is that that road be cut off completely,” she said, proposing the developer or county close the rear feeder road to prevent cut-through traffic. Erin Thompson, who lives in a nearby subdivision, described the corridor’s congestion and said she could not imagine how a new Parker’s Kitchen at the corner would affect traffic patterns.

Staff and the applicant discussed possible mitigation measures including installing a height-restriction bar at the rear access to prevent trucks from entering the neighborhood and moving the sewer connection toward Scribe Drive. The applicant said it could work with staff to produce a refined site plan before the Board of Commissioners meeting on June 3 but asked the commission to consider a recommendation if staff and the applicant can finalize conditions.

After public comments and discussion, a motion to postpone BA250502 (variance to buffer and separation requirements) to the June 5 meeting carried. Planning staff noted the updated plan will likely continue to evolve as the applicant reduces building footprint and works to relocate parking and fueling positions.

Because the Planning Commission postponed the item, no variance relief or final approvals were granted at this meeting. The item will return for further consideration, and any eventual approval will be subject to the conditions staff identified and to final action by the Board of Commissioners.