Commission approves AutoZone at Brown Bridge Road over strong resident opposition

The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted 3–1 on June 2 to approve a conditional-use permit (CUP26-000002) for an AutoZone at 11400 Brown Bridge Road, subject to staff-recommended conditions and an amendment prohibiting on-site vehicle repairs and requiring signage.

Planning staff told commissioners the 1.62-acre site is zoned General Commercial in the Almond Tier 2 overlay and that the conceptual site plan meets applicable setback and architectural standards. The planning director said staff’s opinion was that “the auto zone may be appropriate at this location since it meets the requirements of the zoning ordinance,” but recommended approval only with enumerated conditions including stormwater review, coordination with public safety, and limits on overnight commercial parking.

Attorney Den Webb, representing the petitioner and the property owner Kevin Price, said the store is a retail parts outlet and not a repair shop. “It is a retail auto parts store. It is not a repair shop,” Webb told the board, adding the company would abide by staff conditions, limit deliveries and maintain on-site security cameras.

Community speakers urged denial. Susan Jackson, a District 2 resident, told commissioners they should pursue “smart growth” and protect community character: “Newton County, we want smart growth. We wanna protect the character of our community.” Other residents raised traffic and safety concerns on Brown Bridge Road, potential overflow parking into adjacent businesses, and questioned whether public notice and community meetings had been adequate.

Several residents cited the Almond overlay’s intent to encourage walkable, mixed‑use development rather than stand‑alone auto‑oriented retail. Denise Williams said residents want businesses that fit the overlay’s goals: “We want something there that fits the plan where the conditional use won’t have to be changed,” she said.

Commissioner Henderson moved to approve the CUP subject to staff conditions and explicitly added an amendment to require signs and to prohibit working on cars in the parking lot. The amendment and the permit carried by a 3–1 margin. The record does not show the full roll-call breakdown by name for the other votes taken that night on unrelated items.

The approval requires the applicant to comply with the listed development standards, obtain any required environmental and fire inspections, submit a stormwater plan, and secure the first certificate of occupancy only after fulfilling condition requirements. The planning director noted some conditions supersede items in the petition’s letter of intent if the board so stipulates.

The board moved on to other items after the zoning vote; there was no immediate appeal or additional action recorded in the meeting minutes.