Planning commission recommends disapproval of proposed Gas Pro at 500 Fury's Ferry Road after contested public hearing

The Columbia County Planning Commission on July 2 recommended disapproval of a major planned-unit-development revision to allow a Gas Pro convenience store and gasoline pumps at 500 Fury's Ferry Road, following more than an hour of public testimony that split residents and tenants.

Staff planner Will (speaker 8) told the commission the site lies within a PUD and the core protection overlay district and that the principal technical concern was on-site parking and circulation, saying the proposal "may be able to meet the minimums" but that the configuration and utility locations made meeting functional standards difficult. Will also noted the applicant initially sought to withdraw but then presented an updated concept plan.

Applicant Manpreet Singh (speaker 9) identified himself for the record and said he would not withdraw. He presented an updated site plan, saying he had removed a proposed building and "was able to add 80 parkings there in that corner," and offered striping, buffering and fencing to address pedestrian and tenant concerns. "So that should solve the parking problem right there," Singh said.

Supporters, including resident Gagan Batra (speaker 11) and several nearby business owners, told the commission a southbound fueling option would reduce unsafe left turns on Fury's Ferry Road and bring traffic that could help businesses in the underused plaza. "The traffic volume on Fury's Ferry is growing," Batra said, adding he had reviewed DOT materials and local crash patterns. Realtor Sam Datta (speaker 12) said the project would create construction and permanent jobs and bring revenue to Columbia County.

Opponents stressed safety, parking loss and potential harm to long-standing tenants. Dr. Troy Akers (speaker 14), who said he operates businesses in the plaza, said the plan would remove most of his storefront parking and create fire-lane and pedestrian-safety issues. "This plan does not meet any type of safety components that they're talking about," Akers said, adding that the change would threaten about 30 jobs at his business.

Dink Pickleball manager Dan Bauer (speaker 23) and other tenant representatives said peak hours for their facility overlapped with typical convenience-store peaks and warned of converging demand in the same areas of the lot. Applicant Singh replied he expected to employ 12–17 people and said he would work with tenants to mitigate conflicts.

After public comment, commissioners debated the plan and voted to recommend disapproval of file RZ26-07-01 by a 4–1 margin. The chair stated the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners, which is scheduled to take final action on July 21, 2026.

The commission’s action is advisory; the Board of Commissioners will consider the PUD revision and any conditions or appeals at its meeting on July 21.