City staff had recommended approval of the rezoning, which would change two tracts from estate residential to R-43 zoning designation. Developer Richard Simms proposed adding those two tracts to a third tract in the Kedron Hills subdivision that's already zoned for R-43 use.

The proposed subdivision was to have lots just over an acre in size each.

Despite that relative low density, several council members said the land should remain estate residential, particularly because the land had once been annexed into Tyrone and then de-annexed from Tyrone.

Judi-ann Rutherford said the estate residential zoning was to create a "step-down" on the city's border compared to more intense zoning density elsewhere in the city.

Councilman Steve Rapson asked if the development could be built as zoned with just nine houses; Simms replied that it wouldn't work out.

Mayor Steve Brown said when the property was de-annexed from Tyrone, the city "made a commitment" to use the less intense estate residential zoning.

The motion to deny the rezoning was unanimous.