A controversy involving a proposed tire shop proved another highlight from the Columbia County Planning Commission’s meeting Thursday.
In September, George Gray and Betty Gray Hagan submitted a variance request on their three-acre parcel at 4130 Columbia Rd. The owners included with their petition plans for a Mavis Tire location on the property, which would include a 6,800 square foot building for the auto service shop, along with parking spaces and a retention pond.
The parcel is zoned C-2 General Commercial in the Columbia Road Corridor Protection Overlay District. The variance request seeks permission for the garage doors on the proposed automotive repair and tire replacement building to face Columbia Road, as well as to exceed window glazing percentage on a frontage.
The Planning Staff recommended postponing the case, as a design for the building is not yet complete. Furthermore, neighboring residents took the opportunity to express concerns about the prospective auto shop.
MORE: Planning Commission votes in favor of Indigo Hall Drive senior living complex
Sandra Tanner is a resident of the nearby Springlakes subdivision whose property is adjacent to the proposed Mavis Tire location. Tanner told the commissioners that over the years, since purchasing her home in 1996 that she had often experienced “tremendous runoff” from the Columbia Road parcel that would flood her backyard after rain.
“Having a concrete situation like this is very concerning to me because that’s going to be more runoff for water and stuff coming into my yard,” Tanner said.
Planning manager Will Butler underscored that a retention pond currently part of the concept plans the tire shop would be designed to collect stormwater. Planning Director Scott Stirling further noted that the planned alterations to the parcel include curbs and gutters to collect stormwater and direct it toward the detention pond.
Tanner continued to air her concerns, citing years of contending with the county to address the flooding issues at her home.
“Between 1996 and now I have fought the water problem in my house,” she said. “I finally got my front yard where I don’t have a flood anymore regardless of the rain, but I’m still getting some flooding issues in my backyard, which comes off of that property.”
Rocco Sicca, another Springlakes resident, addressed the commissioners about other sources of unease purportedly among the neighbors, such as sufficient buffers, noise concerns and the facility keeping its operation in line with its C-1 zoning.
MORE: Augusta leaders OK removing Confederate name, signs from bridge
“I think I speak for myself and a number of members of the Springlakes community that we will do anything to prevent a business that is not in keeping with the general area and residential values of Springlakes from coming in,” said Sicca (reassuring the commissioners that by this statement he meant only that he and others would resist undesirable businesses via any legal means at their disposal).
Stirling also noted that the feedback from the public hearing would be incorporated in future engagements with the applicants as the plans for the tire business and the property progressed, should the case be postponed.
Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to postpone the issue until its Dec. 1 meeting.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
