Stonecrest is putting a hold on new gas stations until June.
The DeKalb County city passed an ordinance Sunday that bars any applications for new gas stations from being accepted for 120 days. The moratorium mirrors a prior ban on new dollar stores in Stonecrest and the county.
Councilwoman Tammy Grimes said the break will give city leaders time to better develop regulations to address a “concentration of gas stations” within the city’s limits. But not every councilmember agreed.
Jimmy Clanton Jr., who represents the northwestern portion of the city, voted against the measure, citing a philosophical disagreement with widespread moratoriums.
“I don’t think a city should hinder any business from coming into that city,” Clanton said during the Sunday meeting. He added that he voted against the city’s permanent ban on new dollar stores, which passed in 2019.
The other four councilmembers said they’ve received several applications for new gas stations over the past year, and they’re worried about oversaturation. Mayor Pro Tem George Turner said it’s difficult to deny an application if it meets all of the city’s criteria for a special land use permit (SLUP).
“We have had several applications for gas station convenience stores within the last 12 months,” he said during a January meeting. “And when you think you’ve had all you’re going to get, others keep popping up.”
He added that the temporary ban might not lead to any new regulations, but it’ll allow the City Council time to review its current policies and examine the city’s current stock of gas stations.
Clanton argued the moratorium is unnecessary, since they could install new regulations without discouraging business. He added that some areas of his district, which spans a wider area than others, could use more fuel access.
“This entire effort could have been spent rewriting the zoning rather than just issuing a moratorium when we have other mechanisms in place,” he said.
Mayor Jason Lary, who abstained from the vote, indicated he disagreed with a citywide moratorium as well during prior meetings. He recommended the council consider applying the moratorium district-by-district. However, every other councilmember voted for the moratorium aside from Clanton.
“My hesitancy with this is I don’t want to deter any commerce in a pandemic,” Lary said. “... I find it irresponsible on our end to have the whole city shut off with regards to fuel stations in these areas, when there are some areas that lack this situation period.”
The moratorium is set to expire June 7.
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