Gainesville City Plan Board members on Thursday night turned down a petition that would allow construction where the abandoned St. Michael's Episcopal Church is currently located.
Representatives of CHW Professional Consultants proposed the area could be used for new businesses and a small park.
The City Hall meeting was over-capacity with residents sharing personal statements and a petition with over twelve-hundred signatures to keep the church intact.
CHW plans to revise its petition for another attempt at the next meeting on May 24.