Neighbors raise concerns over proposed Race Trac store

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A proposed Race Trac convenience store in Cobb County has many residents concerned about increased traffic and other problems.

Race Trac, which is based in Cobb County but has stores all across the southeast, wants to build a new open market-style convenience store on nearly three acres of land at Powers Ferry Road and Windy Ridge Parkway.

The site used to be a TGI Friday's restaurant.

Residents in a nearby condo high-rise building are putting up the loudest complaints.

"Look at this. Look how dark it is, it's so peaceful," said Adriana Acevedo as she walked in front of the now closed restaurant and planned Race Trac site. "It will represent a lot of traffic out of here and a lot of lights."

More than 75 people attended a community meeting with Race Trac representatives Thursday night, peppering the officials with many questions.

Race Trac said Powers Ferry Road is a great location because of the 30,000 cars that pass by the site every day.

"We think our store will provide superior customer service and superior service overall," one representative told the crowd.

The plans call for enough pumps to serve 18 cars at one time and would be open 24/7. Race Trac said store that is always open is safer and causes fewer problems.

"You don't go somewhere out of your way to fill up and the convenience store industry tracks traffic patterns. Yes, you have other Race Tracs that are close by, but they are serving different traffic patterns," a company representative told Channel 2's Tony Thomas.

Not everyone left the meeting convinced.

"I believe that that gas station where it's planned would scar the face of the community a little bit," said neighbor Sloan Isom.

Other neighbors commented afterwards they were keeping an open mind about the project.

The issue will come before the Cobb County Planning Commission early next month and must then be voted on by the full County Commission.

WSBTV