County commissioners rejected the proposal that would have housed 500 abused, neglected and/ or orphaned children from around the world in 100 approximately 7,000-sf homes, to be supervised by house parents. The project would have included an 8,000-seat amphitheater, shops, school, hospital, aquarium and public recreational facilities.

Whitney would have paid county property taxes on the commercial component of the nonprofit-registered venture but could have sought tax exemptions on the charity-related segment, according to area land brokers following the project. Whitney needs the county to rezone 541 acres of agricultural land before he can start World Children's Center.

Sources close to Whitney tell GlobeSt.com the developer plans to resubmit his plans to the county in six months. He has been planning the undertaking for nine years. Strong vocal anti-development opposition swayed the commission, brokers attending the March 5 public meeting in Hamilton, GA tell GlobeSt.com.