Neighbors oppose C‑1 rezoning at Oglesby Bridge Road, raise fears about a gas station

Laura Parker, Rockdale County deputy director of planning and development, opened the presentation for rezoning case 02/1928, identifying the site as 1929 Southwest Oglesby Bridge Road and describing a request to rezone 10 acres of a larger 44.76‑acre parcel from AR (Agricultural‑Residential) to C‑1 (Local Commercial) for a neighborhood commercial development.

The staff report noted mixed uses across Highway 212 at the intersection and said internal reviews found no major comments except for transportation and water/sewer considerations. Parker outlined recommended conditions that would accompany approval, including a traffic‑impact study and coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation, sidewalks, underground utilities, screening of stormwater ponds, and a list of prohibited uses such as vape stores, liquor stores and small discount “dollar” stores.

The applicant, identified in the record as Steven Goodsell, said he and the property owner have pursued changes for several years, pointed to prior planning commission and staff recommendations for approval, and said the proposed conditions were intended to limit undesirable uses. “We’re not opening up anything new here. We’re doing exactly what our neighboring properties have been allowed to do,” Goodsell said while describing added prohibitions and other concessions.

Residents who live near the site pressed the board to deny the rezoning. James Corbett, who said he lives across Highway 212 from the property, urged commissioners to reject the rezoning “from AR to Commercial without the exclusion of a gas station,” arguing the intersection’s historic business turnover and the presence of many nearby gas stations made the use inappropriate. “There are multiple empty storefronts within a 5‑mile radius,” Corbett said, calling a gas station the only likely economically viable tenant.

Other speakers echoed Corbett’s concerns. Charlotte Shallow warned that small rural lots could be degraded by additional commercial development and cited environmental risks tied to gas station tanks. Sheree Faust said the area’s rural character and large lot patterns make further commercialization unwelcome.

Board members questioned the applicant on mapping and scope — whether the request applied only to the 10 acres proposed for commercial rezoning or to the entire 44.76‑acre parcel — and about wastewater. The applicant said no public wastewater service exists at the site and that septic systems would be used unless sewer could be extended; he added the higher density he previously requested would have made onsite sewer extension feasible, but that reduced density made that option cost‑prohibitive.

No decision on the rezoning was made at the hearing. Staff had earlier stated that decisions on public hearing items would be taken at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The record for the Oglesby Bridge proposal includes the staff conditions read into the record and extensive public comment opposing a gas station at the site.

What’s next: The board did not vote on this rezoning at the June 26 hearing; commissioners may reconsider the case at a subsequent regular meeting.