Wednesday, January 28, 2026–7:40 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Floyd County Commission has joined the Rome City Commission in approving new development standards for gas stations and convenience stores.
A moratorium has been in place since late last year on permits for new stores to give officials time to come up with the standards, which include distance requirements from schools, daycare centers, churches or places of worship, drug and alcohol treatment centers, public parks, or public right-of-way associated with eco-greenway trails.
The standards also include distance requirements between stores, single-family homes, the 100-year flood plain, and government-operated wells.
It also restricts stores to the arterial roadways.
According to the latest numbers available, Rome and Floyd County were on track to have one gas station for every 948 people.
The national average is one for every 2,000 to 2,225 people.
Also on Tuesday, the commission approved rezoning requests for 420 townhouses and apartments on Wayside Road, a new pharmacy at 4334 Martha Berry Highway, and a new Dollar General on Rockmart Road at Rockmart Highway.
Special use permits for an industrial/recycling facility on Woods Road, and a day care/group home at 3770 Kingston Highway were also approved.
A special use permit for an outdoor gun range on Morton Bend Road was denied without prejudice, meaning the applicant can modify the plan and try again.
