Friday, June 29, 2018

[UPDATE] RaceTrac and Wendy's Proposal Withdrawn But Not Quite Out of Gas

Jay Gipson of The Gipson Company has withdrawn his SLUP requests for his controversial planned development at the corner of Clairmont and Briarcliff Roads in DeKalb County.  The development is not dead, but Gipson wisely withdrew the proposals ahead of what could have been a majority vote against his development by DeKalb County's Board of Commissioners.  By withdrawing his proposal, Gipson avoids what could have been a lengthy setback as a majority vote against the project would have meant he would have to wait two full years before resubmitting.   


For many neighbors and commissioners alike, the biggest concern was the Wendy's and its essential drive-thru window.  The window would have been on the rear side of the restaurant, quite close to the Riviera Terrace condominium community and many felt the noise it would create would severely impact the quality of life for the condo's residents.  

Among the community's other concerns were added traffic "created" by the new development and the thought that another gas station was not needed in the area.  The concerns over traffic seem to have not been resolved so much as they were seemingly put on the back burner to the concerns over the Wendy's window.  Local sources indicate there are no serious objections amongst the commissioners with the RaceTrac at this point.  

As it stands now, the project is to include a new RaceTrac fuel station and convenience store, Wendy's restaurant and drive-thru and rebuilt Express Oil Change facility.  

The asking price of the 3.85 acre assemblage is said to be well above its true value which has forced Gipson to cram as much as he had planned into the project.  It's possible Gipson may come back with a plan that includes a different tenant in the Wendy's space but it's unclear who that may be.  The difficulty in projects like these is that there are not infinite numbers of businesses that have the ability to pay premium rent for premium sites in in-town markets like this.  

What are your thoughts on this proposed redevelopment?  Do you think it should move forward as is or at all?  If not what is currently proposed, what should open on this land?

Please share your thoughts below.  

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Would love a good brewery as there are aren't any in this part of town.

The asking rent is really going to limit options.

For the love of god, please don't suggest Trader Joes.

Rob said...

Wendy's wasn't the only issue. RaceTrac was a problem, too. The whole project is a mess. Go back to the drawing board. And get someone who knows property values to advise on the price. $6.3 million is preposterous for that parcel.

Unknown said...

I'm really tired of seeing TNT continue to falsely report that the community is concerned about additional traffic. It's inaccurate. The community is concerned about access in and out of this property, given that it is on an extremely busy corner, and making a left in or out of the space would create serious traffic issues. Try to get the facts straight.

Anonymous said...

Just leave it as it is. No need to improve that part of Briarcliff and Clairmont. Those people that drive past it every day need a reminder that they are this close to being run down and over repeatedly by ignorance.

Anonymous said...

This corner has looked awful for as long as I can remember. LOL at the moronic residents of this area that want to keep it that way. Literally anything is an improvement.

Anonymous said...

No one wants to "keep it that way." In fact, everyone who's addressed this issue at every meeting has said they want that corner redeveloped. But it should be redeveloped responsibly and within zoning ordinances. The developer needs to make those businesses fit without eliminating or encroaching greatly on the required buffers. Sending minions to call names is not helpful.

Anonymous said...

I do feel a Burger Chef would be lovely here. My husband Herman was a manager for Rax Roast Beef and. Burger Chef for over 20 years and they really made great food and were exactingly clean in the kitchen! I think the county zoning would be much happier with something like this than with Wendy’s.

Anonymous said...

If the proposed uses were a Chipotle, Starbucks and Shake Shack, then the neighborhood would be tripping over themselves to approve the development plans. They are just using zoning to pick winners and losers instead of letting the market decide the highest and best use for the property.

The developer should be allowed to build the Racetrac, Wendy's and Express Oil.

My only concern is the environmental contamination on that site and redeveloping the property should solve those issues.

phil c said...

Traffic is already beyond insane if not deadly. It is my understanding that CHOA is going to add up to 5,000 people at their campus on the other end of Briarcliff. Clairmont north & south, the access roads / I-85 exit ramps in both directions, Cliff Valley Way and Briarcliff are in permanent gridlock already and just trying to leave the QT going any direction other than Clairmont south-bound is a danger to both health and sanity. Any business that built on this corner would loose more customers to frustration, anger and accidents than it would gain, and go out of business quickly.

Anonymous said...

Well, now it's going to brookhaven for annexation and consideration, and he'll probably get approval.

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