Board approves packaged‑liquor store at Bells Ferry Road with conditions, 4–1
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Summary
After public opposition and staff discussion, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a special‑use permit and an exceptional variance for a package‑liquor store at 6220 Bells Ferry Road. Approval includes hours limits, additional screening and no direct access from the adjacent multi‑use trail; the chairman voted against both motions.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 on Oct. 7 to approve both a special‑use permit and an exceptional variance allowing a package‑liquor store at 6220 Bells Ferry Road.
The application, filed for property at the intersection of Bice Lake Parkway and Bells Ferry Road, requested approval to operate a packaged‑liquor store in the county’s Bells Ferry neighborhood center overlay. Planning staff told the board the applicant met the county’s recently adopted alcohol‑district ordinance requirements and that the Planning Commission had recommended approval.
Several residents and some commissioners said they were concerned about proximity to an apartment complex and a nearby bus stop and multi‑use trail. In response the board attached several conditions before voting to approve the special use and the exceptional variance.
Board‑adopted conditions (summary)
- No direct access from the Bells Ferry multi‑use trail to the package‑store property; pedestrian access must funnel through the store’s parking lot and main entrance. - Hours for package‑sale operations limited to Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Sunday package sales per county alcohol ordinance timing (effectively 12:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. given state/local restrictions). - Additional evergreen plantings and a fence along the Bells Ferry multi‑use trail and Bice Lake Parkway to screen the site from the trail and adjacent apartments. - Parking‑island placement and additional landscaping to avoid parking directly adjacent to the apartment complex; specific islands were added to the plan.
Commissioner Ragsdale, who presented the motion, said the application met the county's ordinance and that the conditions would reduce impacts on nearby residents. During the debate Chairman Harry Johnston said he recognized the referendum result that created the six alcohol districts but opposed this location, noting the site’s proximity to the apartment complex; he voted against both motions.
Vote and next steps
- Special‑use permit: Approved 4–1 (yes: Commissioners Ragsdale, Carter, Wetherbee, Cagle; no: Chairman Harry Johnston). Conditions attached as described above. - Exceptional variance: Approved 4–1 with the same conditions attached.
Why it matters: The county adopted an ordinance earlier this year that established six alcohol districts where package liquor sales are permitted in unincorporated Cherokee County. Finding sites that meet legal requirements while addressing neighborhood concerns has proved difficult; the board’s conditions are intended to reduce pedestrian access from the trail and lessen visibility and noise impacts on nearby apartments.
Ending: Planning staff will incorporate the conditions into the permit and variance records and enforce them during site‑plan and building‑permit review and inspections.
