Amicalola Propane plans to move an 18,000-gallon propane tank to a new location, one recently rezoned by the City of Dawsonville.

During its April 1 meeting, the city council voted unanimously to rezone a three-acre parcel belonging to Amicalola Propane, located at 383 Hwy 53 West, from Highway Business to CIR, a restricted industrial designation.

In a letter to the city dated Jan. 28, 2013, Matt Richardson, president/CEO of Amicalola Propane, wrote, Amicalola Propane is requesting a change in our present zoning to CIR (Restricted Industrial District). We are planning to move our 18,000 gal. tank from 858 Hwy. 9 North to our location at 383 Hwy. 53 West. This site will be utilized to store propane and serve as a distribution point for our delivery trucks.

It is probably a safer location, said Dawson County Fire Chief Lanier Swafford. It is a less residential area that would be more desirable for residents.

Swafford added that the propane industry is heavily regulated by state fire marshals.

Theres another layer of regulations on top of ours and thats a big help, he added. Propane is a safe industry. As long as it is operated safely and professionally, I dont foresee any problems.

Currently, the tank is located down a small embankment near Gold Creek Foods on Hwy. 9.

This will help streamline our business operations, said Dennis Richardson, office manager at Amicalola Propane, and Matt Richardsons father.

The elder Richardson noted the tank will be moved sometime in May.

Gold Creek Foods last year purchased the .08-acre parcel where the tank is now located.

Eventually, we hope to widen the road to give our trucks better in-and-out access, said Mark Sosebee, president of Gold Creek Foods. We want to be good neighbors.