Commission Approves Rules Limiting Gas Station Growth, Tables Gun Range Proposal

For January 28, 2026, Release:

Commission Approves Rules Limiting Gas Station Growth,
Tables Gun Range Proposal

Floyd County commissioners thanked first responders for their work preparing for what happened to be a near miss for our community this week.

“We would like to take a moment to thank all of the people who worked long hours, sometimes out in the biting cold, to ensure that we were prepared for what could have been a significant ice storm,” Commission Chair Rhonda Wallace said. “We were lucky that the brunt of the storm passed by us but behind the scenes people at Public Works, 911, EMA, Police, Fire, and others were already preparing days ahead of time. We really appreciate all the work they do.”

The commission also approved a zoning update to stop the unchecked growth of gas stations and convenience stores locally and ensure they are in the places where they make economic sense.

The update ensures that new convenience stores and gas stations will be located on high traffic commercial corridors and must be a significant distance from residential areas, schools and daycares, churches, parks, and trail systems as well as other gas stations and convenience stores.

The new zoning also updates the definition of convenience stores and gas stations for 2026 to update new usages for the proliferation of smaller stores that have often popped up near residential areas.

On Tuesday, commissioners also readopted the current zoning standards alongside the City of Rome.

In other business:

The commission denied, without prejudice, a special use permit to allow the property at 6948 Morton Bend Road to be used as an outdoor gun range. Before voting on the request commissioners reviewed multiple letters for and against the project as well as the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the permit.

Commissioners also approved a special use permit request at 870 Woods Road to allow for an industrial recycling center, approved a special use permit request for 3770 Kingston Highway, approved the rezoning of a Silver Creek property at 0 Rockmart Highway, and approved a request to rezone a property at 4334 Martha Berry Highway.

Each of the zoning and permit applications were heard before the commission during the commission’s January 13 meeting during the first reading portion of the meeting and then were voted upon at Tuesday’s meeting during the second reading portion of the meeting.

The commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and will meet again on February 10.

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