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A2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 The Eatonton Alessenger www.msgrnews.com Commission tables Phoenix Crossing gas station request Ian Tocher ian@msgrnews.com Putnam County commis sioners hit the pause button last Tuesday on a controversial rezoning request that would allow a convenience store with gas pumps near the Phoenix Crossing subdivision. After more than an hour of public testimony, the board voted to table the proposal, leaving the fate of the three-acre site on the southwest corner of Old Phoenix and New Phoenix Roads undecided. The applicant, Imperial Park Holdings LLC, represented by Rick McAllister, requested rezoning for 301 New Phoenix Rd. from Agricultural (AG) to Commercial (C-1). McAllister claimed the project is a logical extension of nearby commer cial zoning. “This property is in the middle of other commercial parcels,” he told the commis sion. “The uses were proposing are consistent with the area, and the owners should have the right to develop under county standards.” The Putnam County Plan ning and Zoning Commis sion recommended approval, provided the developer install turn lanes, record the plat within 120 days, and restrict the property to the stated use. However, several Phoenix Crossing and other county resi dents attended the meeting in opposition of the request, citing health, environmental, and quality-of-life concerns. “This rezoning is not in compliance with the code,” Phoenix Crossing HOA board member Sharon Callahan stated. “Not all eight require ments for C-1 zoning have been met, particularly when it comes to safety, landscaping, and environmental protection. Our quality of life, health, and safety would be diminished.” Traffic was another recur ring theme. Holding his young, preschool daughter in his arms, Phoenix Crossing resident Joey Wood argued for the safety of all his children. “If you put a gas station on the corner, people will be turning around through our entrance. My kids, the reason we picked our neighborhood is because it’s very family friendly. They like to ride their bicycles around, play basket- ball, whatever. I don’t want to have to tell them they can’t do that anymore because there’s too much traffic,” Wood said. Likewise, nearby resi dent Aaron Olson pointed out congestion is already increasing in the Phoenix Crossing area. “Adding a gas station will only make it more dangerous,” he claimed. Jennifer Ray pointed out another danger of gas stations regarding the release of carcinogenic benzene. “Scientific studies show increased risks of leukemia and other cancers when gas stations are built near residen tial neighborhoods,” she said. “It’s scary to think about this being across the street from families and children.” Several locals also pointed to other C-1 parcels at the intersection that remain undeveloped. “There’s no need to rezone more property when existing sites sit empty,” HOA president Susan Mitchell said. Former county commis sion chairman Billy Webster suggested the proposed project ignores prior long-term plan ning measures. “The 2022 Joint Compre hensive Plan designates this corridor for future residential use,” Webster claimed. “To approve this request would directly contradict the plan we just adopted.” Essentially, public testi mony reflected a divide on the commission between those emphasizing neighborhood protection and those stressing property owners’ rights. District 3’s Stephen Hersey stepped up with the first motion on the rezoning request, calling for denial. “It’s not in harmony with the future land use map,” Hersey stated. ‘We’re talking about groundwater contamination, traffic, and setting a precedent that could open up 30 acres to commercial development. I just don’t think that’s what the community wants.” District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett agreed, noting that “every single resident who spoke tonight opposed this project.” He later added, “We’ve made mistakes with rezonings before, but that doesn’t mean we have to keep making them.” However, District 4’s Jeff Wooten noted the value of adding a gas station to what presently remains a largely rural area of the county. He suggested “farmers in the area could benefit from this,” if diesel is among the fuels even tually made available if a gas station is approved. Commissioner Tom McEl- henney, who represents District 1, in which the property in question lies, said he’s received calls both for and against the project and can sense the passion and understand the reasoning from both sides. “I support property owners’ rights,” McElhenney eventu ally said, suggesting the board consider approval with stricter conditions to address residents’ concerns. Board Chairman Bill Sharp reminded the commission that zoning changes can be reversed if necessary but cautioned that decisions must align with the county’s comprehensive plan. “The plan will be reviewed in 2026,” he said. “But we have to follow proper procedures now.” A motion by Hersey to deny the request failed. McElhenney then moved to table the deci sion, giving the board more time to consider whether addi tional conditions could make the project more acceptable. That motion passed, leaving the proposal unresolved. EXHIBIT CONTINUED FROM » A1 “Museums on Main Street” program, which sends curated exhibits to small towns across the country. The Georgia Customer Service Representative $30,000-$60,000 Positions open in Milledgeville, Athens, Eatonton, Gray and Lake Oconee working with established accounts. Experience beneficial, but not necessary. Position includes training, base salary, commissions, bonus, travel and insurance benefits. Applicants should apply to: A. Mark Smith Smith Communications Inc. amsmith@msgrnews.com 706-749-7205 SMITH COMMUNICATIONS2 PO Box 4027 • Eatonton GA 31024 • 706.485.3501 Newspapers • Magazines • Printing Humanities Council, with support from state funding and the National Endowment for the Humanities, coordinates the statewide tour. The 800-square- foot exhibit is based on “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith,” a permanent installation at the Smithsonian. It will include interactive displays, replica artifacts, videos, and a traveling trunk of classroom activ ities. The exhibit explores six themes, including the founding principles of the Constitution, the history of voting rights, political campaigns, the First Amendment, citizenship, and national identity. “It asks fundamental questions,” Swindell said. “Who has the right to vote? What are the responsibilities and free doms of citizens? What does it mean to be a people governing themselves rather than being ruled by kings and queens?” Preparations will begin when the Smithsonian delivers the exhibit by semi-truck. Local volun teers will help unpack and assemble the display with guidance from Smith sonian staff,” Swindell explained. As part of the program, host communities are required to hold at least three public events, including an opening reception. Swindell said GWM’s April reception will be a high-profile event that she expects to draw state and federal officials, alongside community leaders and residents. “The kickoff will be heavily publicized by Georgia Humanities,” GWM Board President Lou Benjamin said. “The more we show up as a community to welcome this exhibit, the stronger the impression we will make.” IAN TOCHER/Staff Former Smithsonian employee Melissa Swindell is now the director of the Georgia Writers Museum. Benjamin stressed that while museums often seek financial support for such programs, this exhibit carries little direct expense for local partners. Instead, he encouraged community groups to create complementary programs to tie into the exhibit’s themes, from lectures to performances. “This is really an opportunity for Eatonton to be on the map,” he said. “The Smithsonian name carries weight, but the community has the chance to shine by making the most of these six weeks.” The opening date for the reception will be announced closer to April, but Swindell confirmed the exhibit will arrive April 20. For more informa tion or to get involved, community members are encouraged to contact the Georgia Writers Museum (georgiawritersmuseum. org). VOTED 13 YEARS IN A ROW! HE BEST TODAY □ The Eatonton Messenger □ Lake Oconee News REAL ESTATE COMPANY Putnam, Greene or Morgan County (including tax) □ One Year $37 • Two Years $70 • Five Years $175 Out of County (including tax) • One Year $50 • Two Years $90 • Five Years $210 Out of State (including tax) □ One Year $55 □ Two Years $99 • Five Years $245 □ Payment Enclosed □ Credit Card • Bill me (subscription will start after payment is received) Subscriptions include all online content FREE! COLDWELL BANKER LAKE OCONEE REALTY LAKE COUNTRY NAME ADDRESS 706.252.8020 ICBLAKEOCONEE.COM PHONE EMAIL Credit Card Information NAME ON CREDIT CARD CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION CVV □ Visa • MasterCard □ American Express Mail or bring by form and payment information The Eatonton Messenger/Lake Oconee News P.O. Box 4027 | 100 N. Jefferson Ave. Eatonton, GA 31024 706.485.3501 ||www.msgrnews.com]
