Are there too many gas stations on this busy stretch in Columbia? Take our poll
Earlier this month, two new RaceTrac convenience stores gained initial approval to set up shop in Columbia. One location is on Shop Road near the Mark Anthony Brewing plant. The other would be on Garners Ferry Road, across from the Aldi east of Interstate 77.
The latter plan spurred a discussion among members of Columbia’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
Zoning board member Sherard Duvall asked, are there not already enough gas stations or convenience stores on that stretch?
In a 1-mile stretch of Garners Ferry, from Greenlawn Drive to Daphne Road near where the new RaceTrac would go, there are already four gas stations or convenience store combos.
A BP sits near the Altitude trampoline park. A little further down, a Gulf gas station awaits customers. There’s a Shell station in front of Planet Fitness, and a Murphy USA station across the road. Just beyond Daphne Road is a Petro Mart.
The new RaceTrac would replace an existing convenience store on the site.
The Zoning Board ultimately decided that while there may be a lot of one type of business on the hyper-commercial stretch, they aren’t a nuisance to the community.
What do you think? Are there too many gas stations on Garners Ferry Road? What type of developments would you like to see instead?
Respond to our poll. If you have strong feelings, leave a comment and your email address, and a reporter may be in touch.
