The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission split 4-4 Thursday on an application Larry Martin submitted to annex 114 acres of undeveloped land into the city of Rome.

The wooded tract at 195 Tom Bing Road abuts Twickenham Estates near The Hampton Preserve and stretches to Pleasant Valley Road at Rockmart Road. If annexed, it would create a link between other swaths of unincorporated land and the city limits.

Planning Commission member Ronnie Kilgo voiced concern that there is no city sewer service or road access to the property and no development plans were submitted.

“I have a serious problem with the city annexing large tracts of unincorporated land,” he said. “It takes away from our school base and our property taxes.”

But Planning Director Sue Hiller said the planning commission’s only role is to weigh in on part of the application — the proposed zoning for the property if it is annexed. In this case, no change is being sought from the current suburban residential classification.

Hiller said there is a separate mechanism for the Floyd County Commission to object to the annexation if it chooses, and an arbitration agreement in place if the Rome City Commission wants to continue with the action.

Still, Kilgo’s argument swayed three other members into voting against a recommendation of approval: Charles Jackson, Terry Jones and Nathan Roberts. Voting in favor were Elaina Beeman, Graham Dixon, John Maddox and Rhonda Wallace.

The board unanimously recommended approval of a second annexation request, submitted by Rolando and Zenaida Sambitan of Midland, Ga. for a house at 34 Wellington Way (map).

The City Commission will hold a public hearing on both applications at its Dec. 7 meeting.

The board recommended approval unanimously. The County Commission will have the final say following a public hearing at its Nov. 24 meeting.

The role of the appointed citizens board also came into question during a hearing on Lamar Ashley’s request for multi-family residential zoning on 12 acres next to Midway Park (map).

Ashley said he is planning eight quadriplexes, prompting members to debate the merits of the project in light of potential problems with sewage and site design.

However, Hiller and Assistant County Manager Blaine Williams said permits would be issued only if professional staffers determine the standards are met.

“The real questions have to do with the Land Use Map and how you want to see the county grow,” Williams told planning commission members. “Everything else has a policy attached to it.”

The board recommended approval unanimously. The County Commission will have the final say following a public hearing at its Nov. 24 meeting.