DeKalb Board: Slow down with the liquor stores, fast food, pawn shops

If you’re hoping for a new gas station, drive-thru restaurant or car repair business in DeKalb County, you might have to wait a while.

The board of commissioners voted to extend a yearlong moratorium on issuing necessary permits for such businesses in commercial districts.

The moratorium, which began in January, is set to run through Feb. 28, 2017, the county announced this week.

The full list of establishments it affects:

• Alcohol outlets
• Gas stations
• Car repair and maintenance shops
• Automobile service stations
• Check cashing establishments
• Convenience stores
• Drive-thru restaurants
• Pawn shops

The moratorium was born of resident concern about the type of development in the county, DeKalb spokesman Andrew Cauthen said.

While the measure is in place, officials are reviewing county ordinances. The resolution said the review is to ensure the preservation of “quality of life for citizens while imposing limited and effective regulations on certain commercial uses that impact quality of life issues.”