Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Convenience Fuel Z68 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission holds rezoning for proposed convenience store and fuel station so DOT can finish traffic review
Summary
Saks Austell LLC asked to rezone land on Ballastell Road for a convenience store, fuel sales and drive‑through restaurant. The planning commission accepted staff’s consistency finding but held the case for 30 days so the applicant and Cobb DOT can finish traffic study revisions.
Saks Austell LLC sought rezoning (Z68 of 2024) from R‑20 to NRC for a retail center including a convenience store with fuel sales, retail tenants and a drive‑through restaurant on Ballastell Road. After staff recommended approval and technical reviewers flagged outstanding traffic and stormwater questions, the commission held the case for 30 days to allow the applicant to work with Cobb DOT and return with a revised traffic study.
Applicant presentation: Jannaid Virani, identified as president of Saks Austell, told the commission the project would include multiple national tenants and that lighting, landscaping and traffic studies previously requested had been prepared and submitted. DOT told the commission in public testimony that the applicant’s initial traffic study generated significant comments in February and that the applicant was revising the study; DOT did not have final comments in hand.
Technical review: Stormwater management staff described the site as long and narrow with ridge lines that split drainage directions; because fuel sales are proposed the site is treated as a “hot spot” in stormwater review and will require particular attention to on‑site water‑quality systems. Planning staff recommended approval, finding the proposed use consistent with the future land use plan’s neighborhood activity center designation.
Commission action: Commissioners concluded DOT and the applicant needed more time to work through transportation issues; Commissioner (unnamed) moved to hold the application for 30 days to the June 3 hearing. The motion passed 4‑0.
Next steps: Applicant to meet with DOT, finalize the traffic study revisions and return with any site‑plan adjustments requested by transportation or stormwater staff.
