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After public outcry, commissioners table decision on ending convenience‑store moratorium for 30 days
Summary
Staff recommended ending a moratorium on convenience‑store applications because the county already adopted a C‑store amendment; residents urged delaying the change until the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and a distribution of the proposed ordinance. Commissioners voted unanimously to table the termination for 30 days to allow residents to review the draft.
Newton County staff presented Resolution R061626D to terminate a moratorium on accepting applications for convenience‑store developments, citing that the county had already adopted an amendment to the C‑store rules. The moratorium language previously in place extended until a later date, but staff said, with the amendment already adopted, the moratorium could be terminated.
Several residents and community leaders urged caution. "We need a detailed plan in regards to our Unified Development Ordinance that outlines where these convenience centers should be," said Elena Sanders, who told the board the west side of the county has been disproportionately affected. Multiple speakers warned lifting the moratorium would "open the floodgates" for additional stores in District 3 and asked the board to wait until the UDO is finalized.
Commissioner Long (speaker 11) moved to table the resolution for 30 days so citizens would have time to review the draft ordinance. Long said the convenience store ordinance had been worked on extensively but residents had not had adequate access to the materials to comment. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
What happens next: staff will distribute the convenience‑store update to the public and return with the item after 30 days to allow public review and comment. The move delays termination of the moratorium and gives residents time to comment on proposed UDO standards.
Votes and procedural note: the motion to table for 30 days was made by Commissioner Long and carried by voice vote; the board recorded the action as unanimous.
