Two rezoning requests facing stiff citizen opposition were stopped in their tracks at the February 18 regular meeting of the Henry County Board of Commissioners.

  The board denied a proposed change in the future land use map to allow a mixed-use project on the southeast corner of Hwy. 155 and Kelleytown Road, while the ensuing rezoning request was tabled until a future meeting. The developer’s plan for the 22-acre site, of which five acres on the corner is zoned commercial and the rest residential, includes a grocery-anchored shopping center, ancillary shops, and an outparcel with an assisted living facility, according to a staff report.

  Vivian Thomas, in whose district the site lies, made a motion to approve the map designation, to the dismay of many local residents in the audience who came out to voice their opposition. Her motion failed to get a second. Johnny Wilson then moved to deny, and after a few moments of silence on the dais, board chair June Wood seconded that motion to continue the discussion. It ultimately passed 3-1 with Bruce Holmes abstaining, saying he did not have enough information. Gary Barham did not attend the meeting.

  Several people in the audience said they were in favor of the project because it would have provided added convenience for those who live in the immediate area, while others stressed that they wanted the community to remain rural and residential.

  One major concern on the board, as voiced by Wood, was the need to extend the sewer line to the site and its potential impact on several surrounding properties. As was pointed out by county attorney Patrick Jaugstetter, the Henry County Water Authority could decide to extend the sewer line if the body felt there was a need, regardless of the commissioners’ position on the matter.

  Dee Clemmons questioned why the request was before the board now when the necessary sewer extension had not yet taken place. “Why would we approve something you can’t even build on?” she asked.

  Wilson said that the applicant could come back before the board after the sewer issue is resolved. A representative of the applicant stated that all affected property owners have been contacted and financial considerations have also been discussed. He said the water authority’s position is that the sewer line extension would benefit hundred of acres in the area.

  Thomas said that several property owners have been working with the applicant to reach a suitable resolution, noting that they want to stay anonymous because of their many neighbors who oppose it. She added that the project is an opportunity to increase property values there without individual land owners having to spend large sums of money to tap into the sewer line.

  But she was the lone member of the board who felt the project, in its current state, was a good idea. She made the motion to table the rezoning request after the previous agenda item was denied.

  A request by Jerry Greer of Hampton for a 1.15-acre site at 1018 Hampton-Locust Grove Road was denied twice, on the rezoning as well as the future land use map designation. Greer wanted a commercial zoning for “a consumer and durable goods sales establishment,” according to a staff report, although repeated references to a dollar store were made during the discussion.

  Johnny Wilson called it “spot zoning” when he moved to deny the map designation request, which was heard first. Wilson also made the motion to deny the rezoning request, and both motions passed without a dissenting vote.

  Greer said his plan was not spot zoning but would meet a need in the community. County staff noted that there is no surrounding commercial property and the site is not on a state highway, while some of the land lies within a watershed.

  In his presentation, Greer made repeated references to previous county actions which had resulted in taking portions of his property. He said it is not at all suitable for residential use.

  “The county has destroyed it,” he said. “I want it to be restored.”

  In the audience there was plenty of opposition to Greer, who was accompanied by his attorney at the meeting. Several people spoke in opposition, saying that they wanted the area to remain rural and residential. That is also the intent of county officials, as denoted by the future land use map and the fact that staff as well as the Zoning Advisory Board recommended denial.