Fayette County's first conservation

subdivision will not be on Adams Road.

More than 30 residents turned

out Thursday night at the Fayette County Commission meeting to voice opposition

to a plan by New Market properties to develop a 26-acre tract in the relatively

new Conservation Subdivision zoning category.

The category allows smaller

lots, but preserves more greenspace. The land is currently zoned R-20,

which calls for a two-acre minimum lot size.

Project engineer Becky Morris

said New Market could build 12 homes under the R-70 classification and

would still build 12 homes under CS. The difference is the homes would

be on one-acre lots and 11 acres of the property would be left as greenspace.

But the residents wanted no

part of smaller lots in their neighborhood.

"I moved here because

of low density. This would cause a reduction in property values,"

said Randy Stasni.

Maureen Tompkins said she had

environmental concerns, since the homes would be on smaller lots.

Commission agreed with the residents.

Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham

said the zoning category was a good idea, but he could not support the

rezoning for one major reason.

"That property is a major

groundwater recharge area," he said.

But Commissioner Peter Pfeifer

said he liked the idea of the conservation subdivision.

"The impact is neutral

and I support less land disturbance," he said.

Commission Chairman Greg Dunn

said he supported the idea that only half the land would be developed.

"We need to develop the

least amount of property and still respect property owners' rights. One

acre lots wouldn't diminish property values," he said.

VanLandingham, along with Commissioners

Linda Wells and Herby Frady voted against the rezoning, while Pfeifer

and Dunn supported it.

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