Wednesday, November 5, 2025–11:45 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission will hear a proposed ordinance amendment on Thursday that places restrictions on the development and operation of convenience gas stations and convenience stores.
In June, both the Rome City and Floyd County Commissions imposed a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new convenience stores to give staff time to find a way to address the proliferation of gas stations and mini-marts.
According to numbers presented at that time, there were 70 stores in Rome, which is one store for every 500 residents.
The national average is more like one for every 2,200 residents.
The proposed ordinance would prohibit convenience gas stations near family, civic, and pedestrian-oriented gathering places, such as schools, daycare centers, parks, and churches or places of worship, given that many stores sell adult products or services, including alcohol, tobacco/tobacco smoking devices, lottery tickets, and adult magazines and videos.
The ordinance would also prohibit such stores in the urbanized downtown areas, near inpatient drug or alcohol treatment centers, residential areas, local historic districts, and environmentally sensitive areas that are adjacent to rivers, within floodplains, and near government wells.
You can view the full ordinance here.
Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting begins at 2:30 p.m. at Rome City Hall.