Developers are asking the Fayette County Commission to table a controversial rezoning petition for a convenience store across from historic Starr's Mill tomorrow.

"We want to do some more environmental work on it," said Robert Rolader, agent for developer Brent Scarbrough.

Commissioners ordinarily comply with such requests, though there is no requirement that they do so. Usually, the rezoning request would be tabled to the group's next zoning meeting, Feb. 25. "I'm sure that would give us enough time" to complete an environmental study, said Rolader.

Commissioners already tabled Scarbrough's request once, during their Dec. 10 meeting, as rumors flew that chairman Robert Sprayberry had received threats.

Now, two new commissioners sit on the board that will determine the fate of the 2.49-acre tract at Ga. Highway 85 south and the 85 South Connector. Sprayberry's and Commissioner Scott Burrell's terms ended, and they were replaced by Linda Wells and Greg Dunn.

Ironically, Wells and Dunn had written the commission requesting that the controversial rezoning request be tabled so that they could be involved in the decision, and Sprayberry had stated his opposition to tabling the request.

Scarbrough is asking that the zoning category for the land be changed from A-R (agricultural-residential) to LC (limited commercial) to allow what Rolader has referred to as a "country store."

Chris Presley, who lives next door to the site, has organized neighborhood opposition, saying a convenience store would diminish the historic, rural atmosphere of the area, would create environmental problems and reduce the value of nearby homes.

Rolader has argued that the proposed store would have a rural flavor and would serve the neighborhood, not detract from it. "Our intention is to serve the needs of the rural community, not to destroy it," he said during a recent county Planning Commission meeting.

The county planning staff has recommended denial, saying the proposal is incompatible with the county's land use plan, and also citing environmental concerns.

Starr's Mill not only is a historic, rural enclave, but also is home to a future drinking water reservoir, and the federal Watershed Protection Act prohibits commercial activity within 1,000 feet of reservoirs.

Residents hint they may take legal action if the zoning is approved, though county attorney Bill McNally said the Watershed Protection Act exempts lots that were recorded before the act was passed in 1987.

Rolader said during the Planning Commission meeting that underground gas tanks at the proposed convenience store will pose no hazard to the reservoir, because modern technology has rendered them much safer than in the past, but residents say it's the gas, oil, antifreeze and other chemicals spilling above the ground that they're worried about.

In its comments on the proposal, the county environmental health department also expresses concern, saying that there is room for a septic system on the property, but not enough room for a replacement if the first system should fail.

Dennis Chase, a local environmental activist, argued that the county at least should require an environmental impact study before approving the store.