It was a happy crowd that filed out of the Kedron Fieldhouse in Peachtree City shortly before 10 p.m. Monday night.

The crowd broke out in applause after the Planning Commission unanimously voted to deny the rezoning of the Stephens tract at the intersection of Ga. Highway 74 and Rockaway Road from General Industrial to Limited Use Commercial. The issue had created a firestorm with Wilshire Estates residents, who came to the meeting armed with petitions and Power Point presentations.

The proposal would have rezoned nearly 50 acres of industrial property for a nearly 300,000 sq.ft shopping center that would have featured a Lowe’s, restaurants and other retail sites. Attorney Rick Lindsey, who represented developer Columbia Properties, said the site was perfect for a shopping center.

“Market forces are developing and this property will be developed. To believe it’s just going to remain trees is naive,” he said.

Lindsey said the shopping center would feature tree-lined boulevards and outdoor cafes to fit in with the Peachtree City lifestyle.

“Columbia Properties has done a better job with this development plan than any I’ve seen,” he added.

The former city attorney for Peachtree City said Columbia had met with the homeowners from Wilshire Estates and was focusing on some of the main concerns the group had, including noise, traffic, crime and property values.

“We don’t want to be a bad neighbor. We’ll work with the city for traffic calming devices on Holly Grove Road,” he said.

But the residents were not convinced.

Former Mayor Steve Brown presented the Planning Commission with a box of cards and letters that were sent to City Hall when the city originally created its big-box ordinance.

“A regional draw is not part of our plan. Don’t bring this into the city,” he said.

Wilshire Estates homeowners association president Laurie Farmer, said her group’s position was, “No rezone, no big box.”

“Our property values will decrease and it’s too close to the schools. Fix Braelinn shopping center, don’t kill it with this,” she said.

Residents burst into applause after each resident who voiced opposition to the plan. Chairman Marty Mullin urged the residents to restrain themselves to make sure a fair hearing was given to the proposal.

After the public hearing, city planner David Rast said the proposal, combined with the existing Wilshire Pavilion, would provide a shopping center bigger than any of the center’s associated with the city’s four villages. Rast said the size of the center gave staff problems, along with changing the zoning.

“The proposed development is not consistent with the city’s land use plan, which currently designated this property as single-family medium density residential development,” he said.

The planner also added that the rezoning the property would set a precedent for other industrial zoned tracts throughout the city. The Planning Commission agreed with the staff’s assessment.

“This should not be changed on a whim and developers must not drive the process,” said Planning Commissioner Patrick Staples.

Although the Planning Commission recommended denial, the City Council will have the final say when it considers the issue at its April 12 meeting.