Warner Robins Council approves traffic study on Houston Lake, considers restricting new vape, liquor stores

WARNER ROBINS — The city of Warner Robins green-lit a traffic study for a growing part of town and discussed regulating alcohol and vape sales during its most recent meeting on Oct. 20. Council voted unanimously to approve the traffic study.

According to interim planning and engineering director Vic Savage, the study will focus on current conditions on Russell Parkway and Corder Road, Corder and Houston Lake Road, and Russell and Houston Lake. The cost is estimated to be around $21,000, funded by Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant funds.

According to city documents, the study will also project future conditions after five planned developments in the area are complete. The full study is expected to take about 7 weeks after authorization.

City administrator James Drinkard said the city had previously conducted a traffic study, but recent development proposals have sparked renewed interest in studying what he called a congested intersection. He also mentioned discovering strategies for traffic improvement and mitigation.

“We want to do a new look at that intersection, look at it with the proposals that we are aware of in mind, as well as potential build-out of anything else in that immediate area,” Drinkard said.

Drinkard said the city conducting the study would allow for a broader scale.

“Rather than having individual developments do traffic studies that are just going to look at their development, we really need to take a more holistic approach, and the city is really the only one that can do that,” Drinkard said. 

In terms of commercial development, Councilman Derek Mack suggested regulating alcohol and vape shops.

Drinkard said some items are being worked through the planning commission, one of which would clarify definitions and regulate businesses that primarily sell tobacco, CBD, vapes or similar products.

“It provides certain restrictions with respect to minimum distance from schools, churches, parks, government facilities, neighborhoods, residences and each other. That distance is 2,000 feet, which is substantial,” Drinkard explained.

Drinkard said the proposal would come forward in November.

Drinkard also mentioned a conversation about restrictions placed on alcohol package sale businesses, such as minimum lot sizes and minimum square footage. He said city staff is still working through appropriate sizes and dimensions.

Mack said cities like Macon and Fort Valley have a cap on the number of alcohol businesses, leading developers to consider Warner Robins.

“There are an abundance of people coming to Warner Robins because there’s no cap on the number of liquor stores per capita and citizens we have in the city. We’ve got liquor stores and vape shops. I want to know if there’s any discussion about putting a cap on the amount of liquor stores that can apply for licensing here in Warner Robins?” Mack asked.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick added the city has already considered a cap or moratorium on liquor stores, vape shops and gambling establishments, saying staff is researching options and proposing a recommendation.

“We’re headed in the right direction. I know we see the urgency because people flock to Warner Robins since Macon and, I think Perry, has regulations. So we’ll make sure to move expeditiously as possible to stop unwanted businesses from coming here that may put us in a bad spot,” Patrick said.

Councilman Charlie Bibb and Mack were in favor of enacting a moratorium on new vape and liquor shops. Drinkard said the moratorium must last for a set period of time, up to one year, while the city considers regulation or completes analysis.

“Once you’ve completed the work that you’ve decalred the moratorium to do, then the moratorium is lifted,” Drinkard said.

Drinkard said progress towards a moratorium would be made before the next meeting.

To view the meeting’s agenda and supporting documents, visit the city’s website.

A full look at the meeting can be found on the city’s Facebook page.

The next Warner Robins City Council Meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 3, 4:30 p.m., at Warner Robins City Hall, 700 Watson Boulevard.