A 12 pump gas station and convenience store, along with 2 drive-thru fast food restaurants is proposed for the property at 6495 Spout Springs Road | Tax Parcel 15047 000002A. This is at the corner of Spout Springs Rd. and Elizabeth Lane. The property borders Cherokee Bluffs High School.

While initially, this sounds like a good idea, many area residents don't think it's an appropriate location for a gas station. Here is a list of reasons why we are opposed to it. This property abuts Cherokee Bluffs School Grounds.

This property is designated AR-1. The developer wants to rezone to H-B (HIghway Business) Most of the property on Spout Springs Rd. is AR-1, PRD or PUD. Don't change the comprehensive plan and don't put this type of high traffic business so close residential areas.

Sex trafficking/human trafficking. High school students will most definitely visit the restaurants and drivers will use the gas station. This is a great location for sexual predators. There is even a guide for convenience store owners on how to spot trafficking. Do we really want to put our children and teens in jeopardy like this?

Beer and wine sales near schools increases the chance alcohol being acquired by underage drinkers. This type of business attracts drug traffickers. There has been criminal drug activity at the gas stations near I-985.

Teens will have easier access to cigarettes and vaping supplies.

This locations will become a meeting place for teens from area schools, including schools from other counties. The students know each other through social media and they would flock to something like this. (I taught 5 years at a middle school, 2 years at a high school and I was an administrator at a high school for 12 years. This type of activity happens all of the time. Do we really want this type of activity so close to our schools and communities? It will bring teens of more dubious backgrounds leading to increases in speeding, home and car break-ins. etc.

ALLOWING THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS SO CLOSE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRANCE AND RESIDENCES SETS A PRECEDENCE FOR ALLOWING THESE TYPES OF BUSINESSES BY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRANCES.THIS RUINS THE PROPERTY VALUE FOR THE HOME OWNERS..

• Increased crime and increased access to drugs. Crimes, including crimes related to drug deals have been committed down the road at the gas stations near I985.
• Increased traffic- delivery trucks, fuel trucks, tractor trailers
• Increased littering and pollution
• Increased noise pollution
• The majority of the property between Hog Mount Rd. & Friendship Rd. is zoned PRD, AR-1 & PUD.
• We want sensible, quality growth where businesses are clustered away from residential areas.