Cedartown approves annexation, conditional use for new gas station at 77 Blankenship Road

The Cedartown City Commission voted to adopt ORDINANCE 11, 2024 and to grant a conditional use permit on Oct. 14, approving the annexation of three parcels (Parcel #036-198; 036-198C; 036-198D) and allowing a gas station at 77 Blankenship Road with a C-2 zoning classification.

City Attorney Carey Pilgrim opened a public hearing on the annexation and conditional use requests. Applicant Vikram Manihani spoke in favor, saying he wanted the property annexed into the city to access city services and that he plans to open a fuel station at the location. No members of the public spoke against either request, and Pilgrim closed both hearings.

Commissioner Dale Tuck moved to adopt the annexation ordinance and Commissioner Ryan Casey seconded. The Commission approved the annexation by a 4–1 vote; Commissioner Sam Branch cast the lone dissent. On a separate motion by Commissioner Tuck, seconded by Commissioner Casey, the body approved the conditional use permit by the same 4–1 margin.

The conditional use approval includes two explicit conditions: no overnight parking on the property, and that the main property access be located on Highway 278. The actions were recorded as ordinace adoption (Ordinance 11, 2024) for the annexation and a land-use conditional-use approval for the gas station.

Commissioner Sam Branch told the Commission he spoke with the new owners and said he believed they would do a good job at the site, but he explained his vote against the annexation by saying he was not in favor of annexing islands into the city. Other commissioners voted in favor, and there were no recorded abstentions on these items.

The adopted ordinance and conditional use permit are effective as approved by the Commission; the conditional use carries the two conditions listed at the meeting record.