South Fulton Residents Threatenโ Legal Action Over โคProposed Gas Station
South Fulton, GA – Homeowners along Stonewall Tell โRoad areโ preparing to sue the city if leaders amend an ordinance to allow the construction of a new gas station near thier homes, citing concernsโ about potential water contamination and violations of existing city regulations. A noticeโ of intent to sue has already been filed, according to attorney Brianโข Whiteside.
The proposed gas station โขis located directly across the street from residences โand would be less than โ1,000 feet from โคtheโ nearest home, aโ violation of the city’s current ordinance which prohibits gas stations within 1,000 feet of โฃa residence and within three miles of another gas station. Residents fear the developmentโค will jeopardize their well water, โขas many homes โin the area still rely onโข underground wells.
“Peopleโ are concerned that carcinogens are going to start leakingโค into the well water,” said Adina Lofton, a homeowner who has lived on โขStonewall Tell Road for over 10โฃ years. Lofton added, “A gas station is not โsupposed to be within three miles โof another, and not within 1,000 โfeetโ of โa residence. โฃWhere they want โขto build โthis gas station โis โless than 1,000 feet fromโฃ our homes.”
Residentsโ also expressed concern that city leaders are considering amending โthe ordinance to accommodate the project. A public โฃmeeting was โheld in August to discuss the proposed development.
Whiteside stated that no ecological studies have been conducted and the project โขmight potentially be in violation โขof federal laws. Councilwoman Helen Willis confirmedโฃ that no vote on the development has beenโ made, โcharacterizing it as a “proposed development” โat this โขtime.
Homeowners areโ also worried โคabout the impactโ onโค a family-ownedโค gas station that has served the community โขforโฃ more thanโฃ 50 years. Lofton urged city leaders,โ “We’re asking you all not to amend this ordinance so it can stay within โขthe three-mile limit and we โcan have a safe residence and a community.”
