Parker’s Kitchen not approved by Columbia County Commission

GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Neighbors in Columbia County are rallying against plans for a Parker’s Kitchen.

The company had its eye on another location in the CSRA, but neighbors convinced the Columbia County Planning Commission to vote against it two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, Columbia County Commission struck down the plan to build a Parker’s Kitchen on South Belair Road.

The meeting was underway at 6 p.m.

The gas station looked to move in on South Belair Road, in front of quiet neighborhoods tucked away from the traffic.

The plan shows a connection from the neighborhood to the store, putting fear into the dozens of neighbors.

Developers say the connection was required by the Georgia Department of Transportation and would be open to trying to get it removed from the plan.

Even with this last attempt, planning commissions voted unanimously against the plan.

“That made everyone feel very excited in the years to come. It’s inevitable something’s going to be put there but right now for as long as we possibly can we’d like to keep that from being put there,” said neighbor Lynda Blackstock.

Fear came from what the project would bring.

“We feel like it would bring crime to the area and definitely traffic and noise,” said Blackstock.

Ever since the neighborhood found out, they wanted nothing to do with the plan.

Denis Vais said: “24 hours with a restaurant, that just screams truck stop and that just doesn’t add any value here.”

Barbara Britton agrees with what the other neighbors said saying. “Everything does not need to be in concrete and that seems to be an issue with Columbia County,” she said.

Neighbors say if this gets denied or withdrawn on Tuesday, it’ll be a small victory.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of everything. We’re trying to fight it the best way we can and it’s more than a battle it’s a war,” said Britton.

Another location that was approved looks to be Lewiston Road and Columbia Road near Grovetown. It’s an intersection that sees more than 14,000 drivers daily, according to a county traffic count.

In Aiken, neighbors rejected the location of another Parker’s Kitchen location on June 12.

But Augusta residents seem to have no problem so far with the company’s plans to open a store at Windsor Spring and Tobacco roads in 2024.

In addition to regular convenience store offerings, the chain is known for its hot bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and electronic kiosk ordering.

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