Hixson residents did not get the hard answer they wanted Wednesday about a much-debated rezoning at Thrasher Pike and Middle Valley Road.
The Hamilton County Commission’s Zoning Committee took no action on the controversial request that would open the door for a suspected Wal-Mart grocery store to open in the largely residential area. But those opposed to the project got soft support from Commissioner Marty Haynes, who represents Hixson and leads the county commission’s zoning committee.
Normally, the zoning committee would recommend approval or denial of the project and report that to the commission next week before the vote. The committee took no action — but Haynes still let his position be known.
“At this time, I am leaning in opposition to this development,” Haynes said at Wednesday’s agenda session, adding that new information could change his mind.
One-fourth of the four-parcel property is already zoned for commercial use, but developers are asking the commission to extend that to three other adjacent parcels, which are zoned agricultural or residential. The project has passed the Regional Planning Commission, and the county commission will have the final say next week.