Neighbors said they want a signed covenant on agreed restrictions for a $25 million development by Bassam Issa on a large tract at East Brainerd Road and Ooltewah-Ringgold Road.
Mark West, a neighbor leader, said the agreement was hammered out after 16 meetings between the developer and the group.
However, he said many of the restrictions were not included in the resolution to be considered by the County Commission on the rezoning next Wednesday.
County officials said there were some restrictions included, but others were left out because it would be difficult to enforce. One omitted included an agreement to build a clock tower.
Mr. Issa said he will get together with his attorney and work out the covenant.
Commissioner Sabrena Turner said she won't support the project without the covenant.
Mr. West praised the series of meetings that were held, calling it a phenomenal process. But he said, without the signed covenant, "there will be a crowded room of opponents."
The talks began after there was strong neighborhood opposition to the project at the Planning Commission in July.
Several speakers at the time said traffic is already "a nightmare" on the two two-lane roads, and they said traffic from 240 apartments would make it worse.
The vacant and undeveloped 53.9-acre site is located at 9700 East Brainerd Road.The project includes a commercial section with smaller shops as well as the upscale apartment units in two-story buildings. Mr. Issa said there would be no more than 10-12 buildings and there would be heavy landscaping and sidewalks at the $25 million project.
Mr. Issa said, without the rezoning, he still could build some 150 single-family homes at the site.