Christiansburg Town Council, which has become known for its general pro-development stance, put the brakes Tuesday on additional houses being built in the New River Village subdivision area off Virginia 114.

Despite a recommendation by the planning commission that council approve a rezoning request to allow for dozens of new houses -- as scheduled in the future land use map of the town's comprehensive plan -- council members voted to deny it.

Only Councilman Brad Stipes abstained, noting in the discussion that he wanted more time to consider the request.

During a joint public hearing Tuesday night, several residents of Sage Lane in New River Village expressed concerns that the additional houses there would increase traffic that is already excessive because there are no other roads connecting the subdivision to busy 114.

"There's only one exit onto 114 now," said Larry Waddell, noting that there are currently more than 100 houses in New River Village.

Bo Keister told council that he was concerned for the safety of small children who live and play on Sage Lane, and Laurie Albert complained about a lack of green space.

"We were told they would not go to Phase II until we had a stoplight there," she said. "We've been told so many things by the developer."

The developer, Robert Fralin of HouseSmart Homes, said there is a need for even more housing in the area, noting that "70 [additional] houses seems like a lot but when that traffic is calculated throughout the day, it's probably less than three per hour."

Councilman Dan Canada made the motion to deny the request, insisting that "I can't support further development in that area until we do something about that road [Virginia 114]."

"Though I agree that the land is part of our comprehensive plan," Canada said, "the general welfare comes before the zoning of land."

He also pointed out that there has been a Virginia Department of Transportation plan to widen 114 for more than two decades.

Said Councilman Mike Barber: "We've not done a lot of people a lot of favors by voting over the years to allow these developments on 114. If we take this stance tonight that says, 'No more,' we'll have that stance from here on."

Fralin made no public comment after council made its decision.

In other action Tuesday, council voted to give town employees a full day of vacation on Christmas Eve, rather than the half-day outlined in the town's employee handbook. Town employees also receive Christmas Day and New Year's Day paid holidays.