The Hall County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to ask the Greater Hall Metro Planning Organization to remove four potential routes from the drawing board for the Northern Connector.

The routes, known as 1A, 2A, 1B and 2B, would require bridges to be built over Lake Lanier, and the roads would cut through existing neighborhoods.

The purpose of the Northern Connector is to provide a cross-county path from east to west.

Debbie Lawson Davis, spokeswoman for the Lake Lanier Community Preservation Association, spoke to the commission about the group’s concerns.

Davis said even though the road is in the early stages, they are concerned about the effects it could have on North Hall in the future.

"There was a sale of a home that was in a potential route. The potential buyer canceled the contract because of it," Lawson said. "It was already having financial impact on citizens even in this very preliminary stage."

Commissioner Billy Powell made the motion to ask the Metropolitan Planning Organization to remove the controversial routes as candidates.

Commissioner Steve Gailey added that he would like the organization to consider using existing state roads in the future when considering routes for the connector.

"It is a devastating thing to have even a potential route hanging over your head for 20 or 30 years," Powell said. "It’s upset a lot of folks."

Davis said she was "thrilled" by the commission’s quick action and said the fledgling Lake Lanier Community Preservation Association will continue to monitor the project.

"It’s not over yet," Davis said. "Until the policy committee ... meets on Nov. 10 and, hopefully takes the recommendation of the county, it’s still out there."