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Council approves annexation and rezoning for proposed Sprouts at 901 S. Houston Lake Road with traffic-condition amendment
Summary
The Warner Robins City Council unanimously approved annexation of 12.73 acres at 901 S. Houston Lake Road and rezoned the site to C-2 for a proposed Sprouts grocery, adding a requirement that intersection infrastructure improvements (which may include a traffic signal) be implemented if needed after plan review.
The Warner Robins City Council voted unanimously to approve the annexation of 12.73 acres adjacent to 901 South Houston Lake Road and to rezone the parcels from R-1 (single-family residential) to C-2 (general commercial), clearing the way for a proposed Sprouts grocery.
Darren Curtis, the city's planning and zoning manager, told the council staff had reviewed a conceptual site layout showing three proposed driveways and flagged concerns about left-turn movements. “The request on the floor is for annexation and rezoning,” Curtis said, and explained staff had secured a commitment from the developer to work with the city on the site layout and to provide formal plans for in-depth engineering review.
Scott Cole of GBT Realty, who said he represents Sprouts, told council members the project team completed a traffic-impact analysis and that Sprouts “is concerned about access here. It is critical for them to have that full access on South Houston.” Cole asked the council to approve the annexation and rezoning while the developer and city staff continue to negotiate plan details.
Council members pressed staff and the developer on access and safety. Councilman Bibb moved to approve annexation and waived a second reading; he then amended the motion to require intersection infrastructure implementation ‘‘which may include a traffic light’’ if determined necessary for traffic safety. Attorney Mize confirmed that traffic-safety infrastructure could be required as part of plan conditions. The amended motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The rezoning vote followed and passed unanimously. Staff said formal plans and the full set of engineer-level drawings will be forwarded to the city’s contract engineer for a detailed review before building permits or final site approvals are issued.
Curtis also said the site includes a private family cemetery; staff reported the family and trust had identified a permanent relocation site and that the relocation process was either underway or completed. The city’s plan-review and permitting process will include standard checks for right-of-way, access control and any required off-site traffic improvements.
Mayor Patrick and several council members framed the decision as welcoming economic investment while protecting traffic safety. The council’s action approved annexation, authorized the city to require necessary intersection improvements during plan review, and approved rezoning to allow the commercial development to move forward.
What happens next: the developer will submit formal plans for engineering review; staff said they will coordinate final access controls and any required traffic-safety measures with the developer and GDOT as appropriate.
