Monday, January 5, 2026–10:40 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission will consider a new convenience store ordinance when it meets later this week.
Both the City of Rome and Floyd County have moratoriums in place until April 1 for permits for new convenience stores.
“That came about after we, for the last several years, honestly, have been inundated with people wanting to build gas stations and convenience stores,” said Rome-Floyd County Planning Director Brice Wood. “It was to the point where, had all of them that were being proposed before the moratorium been built, we would have just over 100 countywide. That is quite a bit higher than the national average and in most other communities.”
Wood explained some of the new restrictions being considered.
“Some things like greater distance requirements between stores,” he said. “We are looking at greater distances from churches, schools, parks—you name it, and keeping them out on the major arterial roads. Gas stations rely on cars—that is their chief customer. We want them to go where the cars are, where they can be successful.”
Under those provisions, the new convenience store near the tennis center at Old Dalton Road and the Armuchee Connector would not have happened without a variance.
In addition, the new store at John Davenport Drive and Division Street would not have met the new guidelines.
If approved by the planning commission this Thursday, the ordinance would go to both the Rome City and Floyd County Commissions for consideration.
