Residents cite traffic, school safety and stormwater concerns at annexation hearing for 1763 Ball Ground Highway

The Canton City Council on June 4 received public comment and staff detail on an annexation and rezoning request for about 0.684 acres at 1763 Ball Ground Highway (cases ANNX2604‑001 / RZON2604‑004 / NVAR2604‑001). The proposal would rezone the parcel from county R‑40 to city general commercial to allow a roughly 6,750‑square‑foot retail building and associated parking to be combined with an adjacent parcel where a gas station (Teddy’s Market) has land‑disturbance approval.

Owen Herbert, representing the applicant (Charles Herbert), said the parcel will be combined with the southern lot and described plans for interparcel access intended to reduce traffic on Ball Ground Highway. Vic Singh, a Teddy’s Market partner, said the company aims to build “community‑based” stations with higher‑end retail components and said they are working with neighboring properties to provide interparcel connectivity.

Nearby residents expressed several concerns. Anthony Christopher said traffic at the Bojangles intersection already backs up and questioned adding another gas station in an area he described as “clogged.” Thomas Weaver counted multiple existing stations along the Riverstone corridor and warned the market is saturated; he also noted state law preempts local regulation of fuel sales. Regina Latham, whose property backs up to the proposed site, objected to using Diana Drive — a narrow residential county road — for site access and said schoolchildren wait at the end of that road.

The applicant’s representative said the developer will invest in underground detention to address stormwater, estimated that work could exceed $80,000–$100,000, and offered to improve Diana Drive to county standards if connection is required. He also said the applicant would consider providing a bus shelter where children currently wait.

Staff noted several county comments received during review: the county requested upgrading Diana Drive to county standards, recommended right‑in/right‑out access to Ball Ground Highway, and raised concerns about fire‑truck turning radii. Planning staff also noted that the convenience‑store/gas‑station component has already been approved within the city; this annexation and rezoning would bring the adjacent retail parcel into city jurisdiction.

Council did not take a final vote on the annexation or rezoning June 4; the item remains under review and will return for further consideration after staff compiles additional information and any required interagency conditions.