At its regular meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, the Calhoun City Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on new convenience store permits within the city. The pause will apply to zoning decisions, land disturbance permits, and alcohol licenses for Class A and Class C retailers.
City Attorney George Govignon explained the reasoning behind the decision, noting a sharp rise in applications for gas stations and convenience stores in recent months. “It’s moving faster than our current regulatory framework can handle,” he said.
Govignon emphasized that Calhoun may already have more than enough of these types of businesses. Citing national data, he pointed out that one convenience store typically serves around 2,200 to 2,300 residents. With a population of approximately 18,000, Calhoun is currently home to more convenience stores than the population ratio would typically support.
He added that the temporary measure will give the city time to evaluate how to better manage growth and ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with development.
