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Newton County expands convenience-store rules review, extends moratorium 180 days
Summary
County staff outlined a draft Unified Development Ordinance amendment to restrict convenience stores — including 5,000 sq ft size limits, a 2-mile spacing requirement and pump/canopy and security options — and the board voted unanimously to extend the moratorium on new convenience-store applications for 180 days to finish the rewrite.
County staff presented a working draft of a Unified Development Ordinance amendment that would tighten rules for convenience stores across Newton County and the commission voted to extend an emergency moratorium on new convenience-store applications for 180 days to allow completion of the rewrite.
The proposed draft, presented by County Attorney Stephanie Johnson, would retain a 5,000-square-foot gross leasable area cap for stores while clarifying lighting and screening requirements and adding a new purpose section stating the board’s intent to protect public health, safety and welfare by mitigating impacts such as traffic congestion, crime and effects on nearby residences. "The convenience store uses have to be at least 2 miles apart," Johnson said,…
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