A proposal to rezone a 1-acre lot along Ga. Highway 54 East in unincorporated Fayette County was denied by the county commission Thursday night.

Property owner John Alan Bell was asking for the parcel to be rezoned from residential to office use. The site is located just east of Lakeview Lane, which is in unincorporated Fayette County between Frank’s at the Old Mill restaurant and Gingercake Road.

Bell noted that his lot can only be accessed by Hwy. 54, and that the Georgia Department of Transportation has agreed to allow a curb cut for access.

A number of Lakeview Estates residents urged the commission to deny the rezoning. Several residents said an office use on the residential site would change the community’s character and also have a negative impact on traffic.

With the unanimous vote to deny the rezoning, Commissioner Eric Maxwell noted that the parcel has been up for a similar rezoning before in which he also voted against the action.

Commissioner Robert Horgan said he didn’t think the parcel met the criteria for office zoning. He noted the commission’s duty to protect and enhance existing neighborhoods.

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