The Columbia County Planning Commission voted in favor of a proposed liquor store at the intersection of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and Ridge Pointe Road, in its meeting Thursday evening.
Pranav Patel and landowner T.R. Reddy requested a conditional use at 4070 Jimmie Dyess and 4394 Ridge Pointe Drive, to construct a 5,000 square foot package shop. The two undeveloped parcels, totaling less than an acre, are currently zoned C-2 General Commercial, which allows for the retail package sale of off-premises distilled spirits.
Though all the properties surrounding the site are also zoned C-2, it abuts several residences to its east that are part of the Ridge Pointe neighborhood.
The package store’s concept plan shows a stormwater management pond along the shared property line, which would separate the proposed building from the homes, but with little landscaping, and no buffering or opaque fencing.
Planning staff recommended approval of the request in the staff report, advising conditions including the installation of a fence and appropriate landscaping.
Ridge Pointe resident Ann Taylor objected to the request, noting traffic issues and the proximity to where children regularly come and go. Chris Mobley, another homeowner in the neighborhood, opposed the increasing development in the area.
“Our neighborhood has just been inundated with gas stations, the Cookout, McDonald’s,” Mobley said. “Our subdivision has been dumped down on enough.”
The Planning Commission would vote in favor of the conditional use request 3 to 2, with Chairman Marty Jackson, Vice Chair Mark Moody and Commissioner James Van Meter voting for approval, and Commissioners Ryan Cato and Emory Holloway voting against.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
