A proposed

rezoning for 164 homes in Fairburn was deferred Monday after one City

Council member complained about a lack of preparation time.

During Monday's

work session, City Administrator Tony Cox outlined a proposal by the Hobgood

estate to be annexed into the city and developed as a planned development.

The 56-acre site is on Plantation Road.

Cox said the

city approached the property owners about annexing into the city because

the city needs a portion of the site for a sewer line easement.

Developer Bill

Creel, who represents the family, agreed to the annexation and said the

site could be developed with 164 homes.

But Councilman

Harvey Melear said he could not vote on the issue.

"This

is not right for the council. We basically have 20 minutes to decide on

this," he said.

City Attorney

Brad Sears said Melear could discuss it as long as he wanted to during

the public hearing portion of the program, but Melear was not phased.

He asked the

council to defer the matter until Dec. 19 and the rest of the council

agreed.

During the

hearing on the matter, Melear also asked why all the homes being built

in Fairburn seem to be small, inexpensive "starter" homes.

The Hobgood

property would feature 1,400-sq. ft. homes priced in the $120's and Melear

said the town needs to do better.

"After

folks are ready to move up to their next home, we basically tell them

to move to Fayette or Coweta counties. I have a problem with that,"

he said.