Shallowford/Trickum gas station/car wash rezoning approved

After several months of delays, a car wash and gas station/convenience store proposal at the intersection of Shallowford Road and Trickum Road was approved Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

By a 4-0 vote, commissioners approved the rezoning request by Southern Gas Partners to build a dual-purpose facility at the southwest intersection on two parcels totaling 3.1 acres, including the former site of a long-vacated gas station.

The plans call for a 2,258 square foot convenience store/gas station that would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Trickum Road parcel.

Another 2,287 square feet would be used for a car wash to be built on 2.3 undeveloped acres fronting Shallowford Road that would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, whose district includes the properties, was absent due to a death in her family.

The case was originally heard in July but delayed several times due to objections from nearby residents over traffic and stormwater issues.

But nobody attended in opposition at Tuesday’s zoning hearing. You can read the case file by clicking here.

That’s because Cobb DOT agreed to construct a one-foot median on Trickum Road to prevent northbound traffic from turning left into the facility.

Instead, Trickum Road access will be southbound only, on a right-in, right out basis.

On Tuesday, James Courson, the Southern Gas Partner representative, told commissioners that was the last item of concern from the community.

He was surprised, however, when Cobb DOT asked that his client pick up the tab for constructing the median, saying most of the traffic issues on that part of Trickum Road were due to “improper” traffic movements coming from a Dunkin Donuts across the street.

The DOT-proposed median, Courson said, “will have no bearing on us.”

He suggested that Dunkin Donuts pay for the median funding.

In making her motion to approve the rezoning, Commissioner Keli Gambrill said the county would negotiate with Southern Gas Partners for a funding solution.

Southern Gas Partners also agreed to give up a two-foot easement for median construction.

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