The Planning Commission on Monday deferred action on a large apartment complex on Shallowford Road.
City Councilman Darrin Ledford said time was needed for the completion of a traffic study as well as for another meeting between the developer and concerned residents.
The vote was 7-5 to defer with some members saying it would set a precedent to begin requiring traffic studies.
Southeast Real Estate is proposing 255 apartments in six buildings at 7608 Shallowford and Murray Lane.
Mike Price of MAP Engineering said it was the third try on securing rezoning at the site.
He said an earlier plan had 12 buildings at the location, but this one cuts the number in half and has more green space.
Mr. Price said the building next to the Drake Forest subdivision would be two stories.
He said a new right turn lane would be added for the apartment project. Shallowford narrows from five lanes to three lanes near the location.
Neighbors of Drake Forest and the Village at Ashwood cited traffic concerns, saying it is getting more and more difficult to get onto Shallowford Road and get back into the subdivision afterward.
Frank Anthony said there are already over 2,000 apartment units within a mile of the site.
He said if one more large one is added, "This will be Apartment Row."
Greg Vital, who has an assisted living facility nearby, also spoke in opposition.
The delay is for a month.