The South Fulton Planning Commission on Nov. 16 voted to deny a package of requests—rezoning Z25-033, special-use permit U25-014 and comprehensive plan amendment CDP25-012—seeking to convert a 3.61-acre parcel on Campbellton–Fairburn Road to a neighborhood-serving C-2 shopping center with a convenience store and fuel pumps. The denial followed extensive public comment and staff recommendation of denial.

Staff explained its recommendation by citing code constraints and consistency concerns: the parcel is zoned AG-1 (agricultural/residential), the surrounding future land use remains rural neighborhood, and the city's ordinance restricts new gas stations within a three-mile radius and within 1,000 feet of residential zones. Staff noted an existing Chevron within roughly a half-mile and a residence within 1,000 feet, which factored into the recommendation for denial.

Applicant Andre Washington of MK Energy described plans for a lower-intensity, neighborhood-serving convenience store with fresh-food tenants and accessory fuel pumps, said the company would partner on traffic mitigation and safety measures (roundabouts, turn lanes, lighting, cameras), and offered to accept strict tenant restrictions. Neighbors strongly opposed the rezoning during public comment, citing heavy traffic on Highway 92, prior traffic accidents in the corridor, environmental concerns over underground storage tanks, crime associated with gas stations and redundancy with existing services (including a planned QuikTrip elsewhere in South Fulton).

After applicant rebuttal and discussion, the commission voted. On the rezoning motion, Commissioners Jefferson, Williams and Devon recorded Aye and Commissioner Reverend Jones recorded Nay; the motion to deny carried. The commission then denied the related special-use permit and comprehensive-plan amendment by similar margins. Staff said the three cases will be forwarded to the Dec. 9 mayor and council meeting (the transmittal tracks commission action and provides council with the record and staff recommendation).

The applicant asked for a deferral during the hearing to allow further outreach; the applicant later said he would accept a deferral but the commission chose to act. Staff and commissioners noted that a legislative waiver would be required at council to overcome the 3-mile/1,000-foot proximity restrictions if the council wished to consider a different outcome.