The Pinehurst Village Council rejected a text amendment Tuesday that would have allowed a developer to increase the density of his town home project.

In a split 3-2 vote, the council denied a request from developer Mike Doninger to increase the maximum dwelling density in the Village Residential District from 5.25 units per acre to 6.75. Doninger’s development, “The Tradition of Old Town,” located near the Village Arboretum, is zoned in that classification.

Council members Nancy Roy Fiorillo, Doug Lapins and Joan Thurman voted to deny the request. Mayor Ginsey Fallon and Councilman Mark Parson voted against the motion.

“Mr. Doninger, I’m sure you are a good man,” Fiorillo said before making the motion to deny the request. “I’m sure that you will do a good job. You have put significant money at risk here in our village, and it’s an excellent site. I think your project will do well.

“But having hashed this around again and again, I’m going to move that we deny any increase in density for The Tradition of Old Town.”

Doninger had hoped to take the six largest units in the plan — located in two buildings on Caddell Road — and divide them in half, by floor level, creating 12 smaller units. They would have been priced around $450,000, which Doninger said was a more attractive entry point for prospective buyers than the $900,000 price tag the full-sized units would dictate.

The council has been debating the text change for a matter of weeks. It tabled a vote on the measure at its last meeting so they could hear from Doninger again Tuesday.

Doninger will have to proceed with his initial plan, which calls for 20 town home units in six buildings. The council approved the original plans in 2008.

Contact John Krahnert III by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.