by WSFA
The vote was unanimous for this ordinance. The Pike Road Town council agrees they have received so many applications for new convenience stores, now a pause is in order.
The council says their concerns include possible over saturation, increased traffic issues, and potential impact on property values.
“The best interest of our community was to pause on the approval of any convenience stores for 12 months in order to allow our planning department to do a full study to understand what fits Pike Road,” said Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone.
The study is an update to the original comprehensive plan completed in 2002. It’s been updated as the town has grown.
“They look at everything from traffic to design standards to what town centers should look like or could look like,” said Stone.
However, Mark Spurlin, who is running against Stone, says the problem is bigger than gas stations.
“Pike Road’s challenges are bigger than gas stations, and our citizens have been complaining about irresponsible growth for years. The fact that city leaders are just now developing long term plans for sustainable growth is completely unacceptable. This is posturing during election year to distract from years of complacency.” Spurlin said.
In response to Spurlin, Mayor Stone released the following statement.
“Everything Pike Road does is in line with a long term strategic plan. These plans are discussed frequently at town council and community meetings. It is unfortunate that someone who has not taken the time to attend these meetings or to be involved in Pike Road would make false statements in an attempt to disparage Pike Road for political gain. Turning a strategic decision by a dedicated group of professionals and elected officials who have worked actively for years in public forums, including Town Council and Planning Commission meetings, into political rhetoric is not leadership. Leadership works with facts. The Town of Pike Road is actively engaged in comprehensive planning. The comp plan has been and continues to be implemented through a process involving both citizens and outstanding professionals. The result of this plan is a community loved by many who have chosen and continue to choose Pike Road as their hometown.”
Mayor Gordon Stone
READ MORE (Source: WSFA-NBC12)
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