Plans for a Central Avenue convenience store to add liquor sales were cut short Wednesday by the Augusta Commission.
At a meeting rescheduled due to Tuesday elections, the commission rejected an application by N.K. Patel LLC for a special exception to open a liquor store at the Central Express Mart. The gas station is located in the 2000 block of Central Avenue, at the corner of Heard and Central.
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The site sits next to a gas station converted to a laundromat and is adjacent to medical office buildings and a Circle K. To its rear is a Heard Avenue residential rental property.
The Augusta Planning Commission’s recommendation says the site borders residential property to the north and sits at the intersection of Central, considered a “minor arterial” and Heard, considered a local street, making it noncompliant with the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
Augusta’s Historic Preservation Commission recently rejected the application as noncompliant with Summerville Historic District requirements.
Two store owners appeared to oppose the decision. They said based on experience, their store would be better-run than the former Summerville Ace a half-mile away, which recently changed hands.
Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight said the former Ace and liquor stores on Olive Road two miles away and Wrightsboro Road three miles away were sufficient for the area.
“I think there’s too many liquor stores right around there,” she said.
The motion to approve denying the request passed 8-1, with Commissioner Jordan Johnson voting no and Commissioner Francine Scott out.
In other action, the commission heard a warning from Tamara Santos of Dog Networking Agents that approving an offer of grant-funded services by the Best Friends Animal Society would subject residents and staff to dangerous animals and lawsuits.
The commission also sent discussion of hiring accounting firm UHY to audit the Parks and Recreation department back to committee for further discussion.
