Monday, June 9, 2025–8:17 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome City Commission has approved a six-month moratorium on new permits for convenience stores in the City of Rome.
According to numbers presented during a recent city commission caucus, there are 70 stores in Rome that have coin-operated amusement machines.
There is one store for every 500 residents.
“National statistics show that one convenience store per 2,200 to 2,235 population is an average, and Rome and Floyd County far exceed that,” said Rome City Attorney Andy Davis. “Planning has found and what others have found is that the proliferation of these stores has increased traffic, affected traffic patterns, led to light pollution due to late night operations, increased litter from cigarette butts and pre-packaged foods.”
Davis told commissioners Monday night that in several instances, there have been violations of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency best practices by placing underground tanks in environmentally sensitive areas.
“The planning commission and the city commission need additional time to research and review where, how many, and under what terms gas stations and convenience stores are most appropriate for the City of Rome,” Davis said. “Many jurisdictions throughout the United States limit the number of convenience stores, and this will give you all the opportunity to do so.”
If you go by the national average, there should only be 18 convenience stores in the City of Rome.
You can read the full resolution here.