Clayton County is planning a public hearing next month to discuss the proliferation of small discount stores in the southside community.

The Community Development Department is expected to set the meeting for 6:30 p.m. March 3, according to a resolution the Clayton Commission will vote on Tuesday extending a moratorium on the businesses. The setting of the meeting was not disclosed.

Clayton joins a number of communities across metro Atlanta that have sought to slow the growth of businesses such as convenience stores, nail salons and consignment shops as they have proliferated in shopping centers. The communities have used the moratoriums to develop new zoning laws to address the growth of the retailers.

Clayton describes businesses under the moratorium as offering as offering the “majority of the items in their inventory for sale at a price lower than traditional retail stores.” The stores are generally 16,000 square feet or less in size.

The community development public hearing is designed to address the issue as one of public safety and health.

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