CONYERS — A RaceTrac station is likely to be built at the new Miller’s Chapel Road and Ga. Highway 20 intersection, as the company and city work through a few lingering issues.

RaceTrac is in the early planning stages for the development, which will likely include asking the city to consider a variance for the 24-hour facility.

City Manager Tony Lucas and city official David Spann updated Mayor Randy Mills and the City Council on the plans during the city’s planning retreat held Jan. 29-31.

Based on a couple of DeKalb County stores, Spann said the gas station would bring in an estimated $490,000 a year from gas and sales taxes, which will go toward the county and the city coffers. RaceTrac will be required to pay property tax on the value of the land.

RaceTrac already has a station on Salem Road, which is two-thirds the size of the proposed new facility, according to Lucas.

The city’s tier overlay would require the gas pumps to be behind the building, moving the building closest to the road. Racetrac is asking for a variance of that requirement in order to allow the pumps to be placed in front of the building.

And instead of having a big berm that would not require landscaping, RaceTrac is also asking to have berms undulate down through the property, said Spann. The berms would be about 3 feet in height.

“And they’re just asking to do that from the aesthetic side,” Spann said.

Allowing the variance for the pumps can be done administratively through the city. But the issue with the berms and a petition to reduce the buffer to a neighboring church property would have to go before the Conyers/Rockdale Planning Commission. It is possible a sewer variance from the county would also be needed.

Another issue to be resolved involves acquiring the roadbed, which the city owns. The city could either bid out the property or offer the property to neighboring property owners first and then to RaceTrac. Either way, RaceTrac would still be obligated to pay the full market value of the property.

Spann explained RaceTrac’s purpose for the preliminary discussions with the city is to make sure the project is feasible and details can be worked out with the city and property owners before the company moves forward.

The city is working with nearby property owners to make sure they still have road access if the RaceTrac facility is built, explained Lucas.

Though monetary compensation may be of interest to nearby private property owners, Mills wanted to make sure that the residents around the area were not opposed to the use of the property.

The gas station will also sit above grade and have environmental lighting, which is intended to only shine on the station.

Spann mentioned the lack of easy access gas stations on the right hand side of the road when getting off the highway.

“You’re way into Henry County before you even get to anything on the right-hand side,” Spann said.

Alluding to some past upset from residents over the building of the QuikTrip gas station, Lucas cited how RaceTrac is known for having quality facilities.

“They power wash the parking lot and the floors are mopped. I mean, they’re nice places,” Spann added of RaceTrac stores in general.

Mills said future progresses of the project will go to Councilman Gerald Hinesley’s committee and a recommendation will come back to the City Council.