COLUMBIA, S.C. — One West Columbia councilman is hoping to limit the space between gas stations, oil change shops, vape stores and car washes.
Trying to limit gas stations in the city is one of the many reasons West Columbia city councilman Mike Green is seeking a new city ordinance that would require gas stations, oil change stores, vape shops, and car washes to be placed over 1000 yards away from a similar business.
"It doesn't allow for big box stores to come everywhere and just proliferate the city."
He fears large national businesses, will come to the area, and not provide local economic stimulation in the ways a local small business could.
"We have over twelve gas stations in a four mile area from the very beginning of our town all the way up to US-1 here"
Not everyone is in favor of this possible change, Mike Goricki is the general manager at SCVapors on Augsta Road. He thinks it's unfair to single out specific types of business and sees the proposal as unhelpful.
"Why would you have two bars that would be together, two churches that could be together even." He says, "I'm not sure how it would promote diversity in business, everybody has the same opportunity to go into these store fronts that have been rented out or leased out, or what have you."
Some in West Columbia say they're looking forwarded to the possible changes. We spoke with local gas station owners who say they are being outpriced by national competitors and can't compete. Residents have mixed reactions too. Tommy Dawkins has lived in West Columbia his whole life and is in favor of the possibilities.
"The small businesses normally donate to the local teams, the money doesn't leave the state." He goes on, "things that actually impact the community itself."
Green emphasized that this is just a proposal and still needs public input. The council's next meeting will be on May 2nd at 200 N. 12th Street, West Columbia at 6:00 P.M.