City and county lift moratorium on gas stations, convenience stores

Both the Rome City and Floyd County commissions have now lifted a moratorium on new convenience stores and gas stations following votes to implement new development standards.

The moratoriums were put into place in June to give officials time to come up with the standards in order to address the proliferation of stores in the community.

Rome and Floyd County were on track to have one gas station for every 948 people.

The national language is one for every 2000 to 2225 people.

The moratorium was extended in December and was originally set to expire on April 1.

The standards approved by both commissions in January include a provision that gas stations be located solely along arterial roads and be at least 600 feet away from schools, daycare centers, churches, drug and alcohol treatment centers, public parks, and public right-of-way associated with ECO Greenway trails.

There is also a 1,000-foot distance requirement between stores, and gas stations will be banned from within 500 feet of the rivers and from within the 100-year flood plane.

Gas stations are also prohibited within 500 linear feet of a government-operated well.