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Council rejects request to reinstall gas pumps at 196 Robertson Mill Road after safety objections
Summary
The council denied a special‑use permit to add two gas pumps and a canopy at 196 Robertson Mill Road after residents and at least one council member raised safety and circulation concerns; Planning & Zoning had recommended approval 4–0 but council declined to accept the conditioned approval.
A special‑use request to reinstall a fuel canopy and two dispensers at 196 Robertson Mill Road was denied by the Milledgeville City Council on April 8, 2025, after residents and council members questioned traffic impacts, parking and pedestrian safety.
The zoning administrator said Planning & Zoning passed the request unanimously (4–0) at the advisory level but noted staff needed detailed site plans to confirm the applicant could meet a 29‑space parking requirement. A representative for the applicant, who said he was appearing on behalf of owner Jay Patel, told the council the team had counted roughly 40 parking spaces on the parcel and that neighboring businesses were willing to accommodate changes.
Multiple residents — including nearby business owner Elkay Saim and resident Carrie Jarrett Parham — spoke in opposition, citing heavy existing traffic, delivery and mail‑truck movements, difficulty turning into and out of the center and safety risks for pedestrians and neighboring businesses. Council discussion centered on whether a channelized island or other engineered channeling at Garrett Way would be necessary to control turning movements.
Council considered a motion to accept the Planning & Zoning findings with a stipulation to add a channelized island at the Garrett Way ingress/egress. The motion failed on roll call (two ayes, four nays), leaving the special‑use request denied.
Council members and staff reiterated that, even with Planning & Zoning support, final permit issuance would require a certified site plan showing parking and maneuverability were adequate. The denial leaves the property in its current zoning; the owner may return with revised plans addressing safety and circulation.
