Conyers council approves AutoZone special-use permit, zoning changes, annexation and several alcohol licenses

Conyers — The Conyers City Council voted to approve a package of land-use measures and business permits at its regular meeting, clearing a special-use permit for an automotive parts store, adopting zoning changes intended to support mixed-use redevelopment along Highway 138 and approving multiple new alcohol licenses, including one for a proposed microbrewery.

City staff recommended and the council approved Ordinance 1456, which grants a special-use permit to establish an automotive parts store (AutoZone) at 425 Sigmund Road in the Northside Village Shopping Center. City planner Scott summarized the application as a retail use occupying the largest suite (about 25,800 square feet) in a 9.37-acre shopping center; staff recommended approval with a condition limiting the permission to an auto-parts store and not to a tire store. Louie Milano, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the proposal is at a preliminary stage and that the applicant "agree[s] with [the staff] analysis" and the standards used by planning staff to evaluate the request.

The council also approved Ordinance 1457, a text amendment to the Gateway Village District that removes automotive repair and maintenance from the list of permitted uses in that subarea. City staff said the corridor already contains 11 automotive repair businesses in a 1.3-mile stretch and argued that fewer auto-oriented uses will support the district's goal of pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development.

Separately, the council voted to adopt Ordinance 1458 to rezone 12 properties from Downtown Center to a newly created Downtown Light Industrial subarea; staff said the change will regularize several existing nonconforming parcels and serve as a transitional zone between heavy industrial uses to the west and residential areas to the east.

Council members also handled a related pair of items affecting a 0.722-acre parcel at 12855 Highway 138: the body approved an annexation (Ordinance 1453) and then adopted the accompanying comprehensive land-use and rezoning measures (Ordinance 1454), after a brief procedural tabling and readoption to follow the required sequence.

On business licensing, the council approved an amended application to issue a new microbrewery and distilled-spirits consumption license to Amy Johnson for Track Brewing Company at 909 Commercial Street. Mayor Vince Evans noted Johnson was in the audience as the council voted to approve the license. The council also approved three new retail beer-and-wine licenses for Corner Investment LLC (Jerry Amaya), Milstead Food Mart (Jay Patel/Hill Corporation) and a Kroger location (Guadalupe Cortez).

All votes on these agenda items were taken by voice and carried; council members moved, seconded and approved each ordinance with motions that typically included waiver of a second reading. Following the votes, several council members offered updates on public works, festivals and community programs.

The council concluded the public portion of its agenda and moved to executive session to discuss pending litigation.

What happens next: Ordinances where the council waived a second reading are set to take effect according to each ordinance's effective date; applicants and property owners will proceed with required permitting and any conditions set by planning staff.