Backed by a public outcry, Lilburn City Council voted Monday night to block the development of a commercial corridor, which residents argued could lower their home values.

"People move to communities like Lilburn to get away from being next door to a shop," said Thor Johnson, president of the Lilburn Business Association who led the efforts of some 300 people against the development project.

They came for a residential area "that was family friendly, where you can go to church right up the street. That's what they want, and so when someone comes in and says we want to build a commercial entity here, we say no."

Match Properties initially asked to rezone the residential area for a general business development at the intersection of Killian Hill and Arcado roads. It had proposed building a CVS pharmacy and several other commercial outlets on four acres. After meetings with citizens, Match Properties adjusted its proposal, with a zoning request for limited retail use on an eight-acre lot that would include the drugstore, a restaurant, senior living facility and a medical office building.

About 175 people showed up at the Monday night meeting, many wearing orange, the color of Parkview High School and Trickum Middle, to indicate that Match Properties' plans could jeopardize the caliber of area schools.

"We believe that it's a domino effect," Johnson said. "If you allow commercial development in a residential area, your property values will go down, subsequent things will change" and eventually, schools will be overburdened and unable to provide a top-notch education, he said.

The property owner has tried to sell the land before to a commercial developer, but the zoning request was denied and the matter ended in court, city officials said.

The developer and its lawyer did not return calls in time for publication.

Lilburn City Council's vote was based on a recommendation by the city's planning commission, which had voted July 24 to deny Match Properties' amended proposal.