Neighbors raise traffic and privacy concerns as developers seek variances for Derrick Road gas station

Clemente Quijones, engineer of record for Monarch Equity Partners, on Jan. 5 presented a conceptual plan to rezone and develop 4740 Derrick Road in South Fulton as a commercial center anchored by a 12-pump gas station and attached convenience store, along with an urgent-care clinic, retail parcel and a quick-service restaurant. The application requests multiple variances, including removal of a 100-foot buffer tied to an adjacent Georgia Department of Transportation parcel and reductions to front and rear setbacks and a 35-foot landscape strip so a two-way road and parking can be constructed.

The proposal drew repeated objections from nearby residents. John McDay asked whether the development would be screened and what form the buffer would take; Quijones said the team expects either a green-screen planting or fencing and that trees on the north property (the DOT parcel) would remain untouched. “We are seeking folks to come in,” Quijones said of prospective tenants, adding discussions were underway with BP or Circle K about the fueling brand.

Nearby homeowner Ernest Gordon said his property borders the proposed entrance and pressed the team on noise, traffic and access. Gordon described heavy, regular backups at the signalized intersection of Derrick Road and South Fulton Parkway—exacerbated by shift-change traffic at a nearby Amazon facility—and asked whether rerouting or different entrance locations had been considered. Quijones said the design uses right-in/right-out entrances to reduce left-turn conflicts and that GDOT had already limited access options; he offered to explore modest shifts to the entrance but warned of tradeoffs that could place buildings closer to adjacent houses.

Owner Shirley Gordon said an earlier survey showed property-line discrepancies that she believes encroach on her land and said she opposes the project because it threatens her privacy and garden. Quijones offered to exchange contact information and survey copies to reconcile boundaries.

Staff asked whether a traffic study exists; Quijones said a traffic study was completed for the adjacent Amazon logistics project and that the team can request that study and prepare an addendum tailored to the proposed development. Staff also raised a city “3-mile radius” restriction on new gas stations; Quijones said the team would verify distances to existing stations (the closest cited by staff was a Chevron) and update the application if needed.

Quijones said the 100-foot buffer requirement stems from an overlay along the DOT-owned parcel to the north, and that the requested variances are intended to provide the minimum road and building footprint necessary for the mixed retail uses. He told residents the developer is required to plant trees by code and intends to use a combination of planted screens and privacy walls where appropriate.

Adriana, a planner on staff, reminded applicants of filing deadlines: public participation reports are due Feb. 4 for rezoning/special-use permit requests (planning commission Feb. 18; mayor and council March 10). Monarch Equity Partners scheduled a public participation meeting for Jan. 10 at Welcome All Park from 1–5 p.m.; staff said they will verify regulatory constraints and expected materials such as the updated site plan and any required traffic analyses.

Next steps: applicants must submit required forms and a revised site plan; staff will confirm whether the city’s 3-mile proximity rule applies and whether the proposed layout can meet setback and buffer requirements or requires formal variances. The project will proceed through planning commission and mayor-and-council hearings if applications are updated and accepted.