There’s four gas stations inside the city of Hampton. The Henry Reporter is aware of three requests in the past six months to build more. The Hampton council passed a 90-day moratorium in December on gas stations.
Hampton Gas Stations Moratorium
The Hampton council held their monthly meeting on December 10. At such time, they adopted a 90-day moratorium on accepting applications for gas stations concept reviews. This lasts until March 10, 2025. The moratorium provides city staff an opportunity to review the city’s zoning code for possible amendments. Such amendments could include, but not limited to, architectural standards and / or distance buffers. The moratorium does not affect any existing applications nor any other types of businesses.
That same night, the council considered a proposed gas station at State Route 20 and East Main Street. The applicant, Piney Woods Development, LLC, is proposing a new convenience store at the southeast corner of the intersection. They have asked to utilize a septic system for the business, instead of extend public sewer to their location. The council had to consider an appeal of this provision, whether to permit the septic system. They denied the first reading on the appeal. The council will tentatively consider the second and final reading at their upcoming January 14 meeting.
The Henry Reporter is aware of two other requests for new convenience stores in the city. Last August, the city shared they had development applications at the following locations:
- US 19 / 41 and Woolsey Road, and
- US 19 / 41 and Manassas Street, in front of Liberty Square subdivision.
Gas Stations and Other Cities
Earlier this month, McDonough passed its updated zoning code. Enclosed within the update was a new distance buffer on gas stations. The new one-mile buffer effectively prohibits new service stations within the city.
Meanwhile in Stockbridge, the city has a pending text amendment to reduce its gas station buffer from 4,500’ to 800’. The final hearing on this amendment is not yet scheduled.
Featured image shows a map of existing and proposed gas stations in Hampton. Clayton Carte / The Henry Reporter map created with Datawrapper.
