In its August meeting on Monday afternoon, the Augusta Planning Commission voted to recommend approval for two rezoning requests to make way for proposed Parker’s Kitchen convenience stores in Richmond County.
Drayton Parker Companies of Savannah, Ga., the owner of the gas station chain, has petitioned to rezone two locations in Augusta: 3645 Wheeler Road, from Agricultural and B-1 Neighborhood Business to B-2 General Business and 1924 Barton Chapel Road, from B-1 to B-2.
The company plans to demolish the office building at the Wheeler Road location, formerly the site of a Wells Fargo bank, and redevelop the five acres with one of its stores.
Daniel Ben-Yisrael, real estate development manager for Drayton Parker, explained to the commissioners the company’s intentions, which includes developing at least 10 stores in the Augusta area in the coming years, and its location currently under construction at the intersection of Windsor Spring and Tobacco Roads.
While planning staff recommended approval for both rezoning requests, they did see opposition. West Augusta residents Cassandra McDaniel Byrd and Crystal Harris, speaking against the request at Wheeler Road, opposed demolishing the building, noted an abundance of fueling stations in the area, and cited heavy traffic in the area that could stifle access to nearby Doctors Hospital.
Patricia Jeter, who opposed a rezoning request for Meadowbrook Drive at July’s meeting, also objected, saying the convenience store could attract more crime in the area.
District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight, who is a liaison with the Planning Commission, echoed these sentiments, noting congested traffic and the number of convenience stores already present.
“I’m not putting Gordon Highway down, reaching towards Regency Mall over there, but I don’t want to see Wheeler Road turn into another Gordon Highway,” said Smith-McKnight. “I’m really disappointed that you would even put Parker’s convenience store there when you’ve got a hotel across the street that I’m getting call after call about prostitution, and about people going over to Walgreens hanging out from the hotel.”
Planning Commission Vice-Chair Jeffery Pooser asked the applicants if any nearby residents, businesses or Doctor’s Hospital had offered support of the project, noting that the Parker’s Kitchen unconventional convenience store model — that of a dining establishment, complete with a full-size kitchen restaurant seating — might be more favored if more were aware of it.
Ben-Yisrael replied that the company had not received any local support, but that Drayton Parker’s marketing team is working on outreach to inform the area on its brand.
Commissioner Debra Spencer asked if redeveloping the parcel without demolishing the office building — perhaps remodeling the former bank for use as the convenience store — were possible. Ben-Yisrael stated that this would not be the company’s preference.
The commissioners ultimately all voted in favor of the rezoning request at Wheeler Road, save for Spencer, who abstained. When the Planning Commission addressed Drayton Parker’s petition to rezone Barton Chapel Road, the board voted unanimously in its favor.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
