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Commission approves rezoning for Parker's gas station at Windsor Spring and Richmond Hill after neighborhood meeting
Summary
The Augusta City Commission voted to concur with the Planning Commission to rezone two parcels for a new Parker's gas station. Residents raised traffic-safety concerns; Parker's representatives and city staff said a traffic study and site-plan conditions will address vehicle access and buffering.
The Augusta City Commission on Jan. 7 approved a rezoning request allowing Drayton Parker Companies LLC to build a Parker’s gas station at the intersection of Richmond Hill Road and Windsor Spring Road.
Director of Planning Delaney presented case Z24-33 and said developer commitments include a 20-foot planted buffer, larger-than-typical trees for screening, and an agreement that no semi-truck parking will be permitted on site. Delaney said the petitioner and neighborhood representatives held a community meeting attended by about 20–25 residents to hear concerns.
Residents speaking at the meeting cited traffic and safety worries. Nathan Williams, who identified himself as living at 2307 Caden Road, said turning left from the site would require crossing multiple travel lanes and could be dangerous. Juanita Birney, representing the Rollins Area Neighborhood Association, said while some neighbors opposed the location, the association preferred a corporate developer that had agreed to work with the neighborhood and to limit semi-truck parking and lottery activity.
Tiffany Jackson, representing Drayton Parker Companies, said the company had met with neighbors, agreed to limits on truck parking and lottery sales, and would work with city engineering on traffic improvements. Delaney told the commission that a traffic study will be required as part of the site-plan approval and that traffic-study findings could require entrance relocation, deceleration lanes or other roadwork prior to any construction.
Commissioner Francine Scott moved to approve concurrence with the Planning Commission’s recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.
The rezoning changes two parcels from B-1 (neighborhood business) to B-2 (general business). The developer’s commitments recorded at the meeting include the 20-foot planted buffer, larger-sized trees for screening, and restrictions on semi-truck parking. Final design and required traffic improvements will be determined through the site-plan process after the traffic study is submitted.
