South Fulton Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings - November 12, 2025

The City of South Fulton held its Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett presided in the absence of Mayor khalid kamau. All seven councilmembers were present. The meeting addressed four cases: one withdrawal, one deferral, and two public hearings without immediate votes.

Consent Calendar

• Case Z25-024 (0 Stonewall Tell Road): Applicant Jaskamal Tucker c/o S4 Real Property Group, LLC requested withdrawal of a rezoning from AG-1 to C-2 with a Special Use Permit for a gasoline station and dining/retail complex. The council voted 7-0 to approve the withdrawal. Staff had recommended denial; the Planning Commission had recommended deferral.
• Case Z25-031/CV25-004 (4865 Campbellton Road): Applicant Lavarien Grundy Sr. requested deferral of the rezoning from R-3 to R-4A and a variance to eliminate a 100-ft buffer for three residential lots. The council voted 7-0 to defer the case to the December 9, 2025 Zoning Public Hearing and directed the applicant to appear before the Sandtown Community Association.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For Case U25-012 (Roosevelt Highway): Only the applicant, Quinn Bennett, spoke in favor. No public opposition was received.
• For Case Z25-029/U25-010 (Jonesboro & Kenwood Road – QuikTrip): Four residents spoke in opposition:
  • Deanna Respers (6075 Butn Road, District 3) argued the three-mile radius ordinance should be upheld and that the project is not genuine economic development; she urged denial of the use permit.
  • Alvin Reynolds (585 Kings Place, Riverdale, District 7) stated that the corridor is oversaturated with gas stations, that traffic at the intersection is dangerous (citing his wife’s accident), and that the waiver should not be granted.
  • Henry Adams (13 Briar Lake Co, Fayetteville) complained of inadequate notification (no zoning sign posted), traffic hazards, and potential property devaluation.
  • A fourth speaker (Michael Venable) was listed in the minutes but did not appear to address the council based on the transcript; only three speakers are recorded as having spoken.
• No public comments were offered in support of the QuikTrip case beyond the applicant’s attorney, Michelle Battle.

Discussion Items

• Case U25-012 (4285 Roosevelt Highway – Existing Gas Station Expansion): Applicant Quinn Bennett, architect and owner’s representative, requested a Special Use Permit to expand an existing gas station and convenience store by 20 feet for additional retail space and two new restrooms, bringing the facility into ADA compliance and addressing code violations. Staff recommended approval with conditions; the Planning Commission approved 5-0. The council asked about enhanced lighting and landscaping; the applicant indicated a phased approach, with site improvements to follow after the building renovation. No vote was taken; the item was heard as a public hearing only.
• Case Z25-029/U25-010 (QuikTrip at 0 Jonesboro & Kenwood Road): Attorney Michelle Battle presented the applicant’s request to rezone from C-2 (with conditions) to C-2 (without conditions) and obtain a Special Use Permit for a convenience store with gasoline pumps and an accessory car wash. Key points:
  • Staff recommended approval of the rezoning but denial of the Special Use Permit due to the city’s three-mile distance restriction between gas stations. The Planning Commission recommended denial of both (7-0).
  • The applicant argued that the existing conditions from a 1989 rezoning had never been utilized and that the property had historically been approved for a gas station. They offered to provide a traffic study, a warrant study for signal improvements, sidewalk extensions, flock cameras, real-time crime center cameras, enhanced downlighting, and on-site security as needed. The car wash (Bubble Bath) would be the first in Georgia for QuikTrip. Investment was estimated at $6 million for the store alone, with 24–30 jobs (starting salary ~$52,000–$56,000 for full-time) plus 14 car wash jobs.
  • Council discussion:
    • Councilmember Rowell clarified that the Cascade Road QuikTrip was approved by Fulton County before cityhood and was not a waiver of the gas station ordinance.
    • Councilmember Willis noted that the council had previously waived the ordinance for the Cascade Road location via Ordinance 2022-023 (May 2022). She argued that QuikTrip would raise standards and force older stations to improve, and that the city should not rely on status quo.
    • Councilmember Sebastian raised concerns about sign posting verification and the zoning process, noting that the applicant has a legal right to apply and the council has a right to decide.
    • Councilmember Bell asked about traffic studies and community feedback; the applicant confirmed a traffic study was completed and that they removed one planned entrance in response to concerns.
    • Councilmember Gumbs inquired about total investment ($6 million), community benefits (philanthropy through QuikTrip’s 5% net profit donation), and commitments to enhanced lighting and 24-hour operations.
    • Mayor Pro Tem Pritchett emphasized pedestrian safety and requested sidewalk extensions; she noted that the public participation meeting drew both Fayette and South Fulton residents, and that the absence of opposition speakers at the hearing did not reflect overall sentiment.
    • Councilmember Willis suggested deferring the case one meeting to address traffic concerns, but no formal motion was made.
  • No vote was taken on this case; it remained a public hearing only.

Key Outcomes

• Case Z25-024: Withdrawn (7-0).
• Case Z25-031/CV25-004: Deferred to December 9, 2025 (7-0).
• Case U25-012 and Z25-029/U25-010: Heard as public hearings; no votes or decisions were rendered. The council did not approve or deny either application.
• The council recessed into Executive Session at 6:26 PM (7-0) for real estate, personnel, litigation, and cybersecurity. It reconvened at 7:27 PM (6-0; Councilmember Bell absent) and adjourned the meeting at 7:38 PM (6-0).