With nearly

60 concerned residents hanging on their every word, the Fayette County

Commission turned down a request Thursday to rezone 5 acres at Banks Road

and Ga. Highway 54 for a convenience store.

Thomas Fisher,

representing Richard and Diana Cates, told the board that numerous builders

had written letters saying the tract was not suitable for residential

development. Fisher wanted the zoning changed from Agricultural Residential

to Commercial Highway to build a convenience store and retail space.

"The zoning

is not appropriate for the property," Fisher said.

But after Fisher's

presentation, 57 residents from nearby subdivisions stood in opposition

to the proposal.

"We urge

you to support the existing land use plan. The existing convenience store

is more than adequate," said Henry Bryant of the Deer Glen Forest

subdivision.

Other residents

cited traffic congestion at the busy intersection and feared their quality

of life would suffer with the addition of a convenience store.

Commissioner

Linda Wells agreed with the residents and used a colorful example to illustrate

her point. Fisher had cited staff reports from the school system and the

Sheriff's Department that cited no adverse impact from the location of

a convenience store.

"A pig

farm wouldn't affect the schools either. We don't need to bring a nuisance

to the neighborhood," she said.

Commissioner

A.G. VanLandingham urged the developer and neighbors to work together.

"I would

not support a convenience store, but I believe there are some other uses

for the property," he said.

When the vote

to deny the zoning was cast, the residents broke into applause and left

the chambers victorious.