The Henry County Zoning Advisory Board voted July 10 to deny a rezoning request from Templar Development Group that would have converted roughly 108 acres south of Jonesboro Road to R‑5 single-family residential and allowed a proposed 200‑lot subdivision.

Planning staff recommended approval, noting the future land-use designation supports medium-density residential (up to four dwelling units per acre) and that the conceptual plan proposed 200 fee-simple lots with an average lot size of about 12,000 square feet. Staff also proposed conditions including right-of-way reservation and buffers along Jonesboro Road, and phasing tied to road-widening work.

During public and board discussion, concerns focused on existing congestion on Jonesboro Road, impacts on Dutchtown-area schools, and ensuring adequate emergency access and fire-department standards for subdivisions with high traffic volumes. Board members pressed staff and the applicant about the timing of Jonesboro Road SPLOST-funded improvements; staff said phase 1 design and funding steps are underway but full relief will come only as phasing continues.

The applicant emphasized that the site largely aligns with the future land‑use map and said developers can phase lots to match infrastructure timing, but some board members said the scale and timing of permitted lot releases should be more limited. After debate, a motion to deny the rezoning carried on a board vote.

The denial is advisory to the Board of Commissioners (as this board makes a recommendation); staff had proposed detailed permit and phasing conditions meant to tie new permits to road-widening milestones.