Council defers decision on proposed gas station and mixed retail at Campbellton‑Fairburn/Cascade Palmetto

The council postponed action on a proposed gas station and mixed‑use concept at the corner of Cascade Palmetto Highway and Campbellton Fairburn Road, citing concerns about site layout, building architecture and constraints from the Chattahoochee Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA).

Community Development Director Mike Morton said most of the 7.66‑acre site sits within the MRPA boundary, which limits disturbance and impervious surface; the applicant's 2018 approvals had vested certain variances but the plan and special‑use permit had since expired. Attorney Michael Lober, representing applicant Alex Panjwani, said his client had reduced the number of pumps and prepared a new concept plan but wanted more time to refine architecture and tenant packages and to work with the community.

Public commenter Tiffane Towns urged higher‑quality retail and objected to a highway‑oriented canopy design, saying the community wants development that serves residents rather than passing traffic. "We want that master plan to be aligned — it is a beautiful master plan," she said, urging the developer to pursue sit‑down tenants rather than formula retail.

Councilmember Rodney Peek moved and Councilmember Richard Schmidt seconded a six‑month deferral to return the item to Planning Commission; the motion carried unanimously.

What happens next: The applicant and staff will return revised site and architectural plans to the Planning Commission and council. Any future approval will require compliance with MRPA disturbance limits and may need ARC review for impervious‑surface calculations.

Provenance: Item introduced SEG 024; applicant presentation and attorney remarks SEG 026–SEG 028; public comment SEG 029; deferral motion SEG 029.