It's back to the drawing board for developers hoping to build an eight-story, 105-foot-tall mixed-use complex at the National Hills shopping center.

The Richmond County Board of Zoning Appeals denied on Monday a height variance for the Kennedy Capital Group, preventing the company's high-rise project from getting quite so high.

The Atlanta-based company proposed two seven-story condominium towers built on a ground floor of retail space, for a total height of eight stories at the Washington Road site. Though the condos meet the 105-foot limit established by county ordinance, they exceeded the six-story limit and needed a variance, county building official Bob Austin said.

Attorney Pat Rice, representing Augusta National Golf Club, called for the denial, citing security concerns for the nearby private course.

"The club's guests are some of the most famous in the world," Mr. Rice told the board.

If condo residents can see these people - which include former U.S. presidents - this could pose a threat to their safety, he said.

The height of the building also would create an "intrusion" on the course, because of curious condo residents trying to get a glimpse, he said. Privacy is one of the club's greatest assets, Mr. Rice said.

At 105 feet, condo residents would have a good glimpse at the future practice range to be built parallel to Washington Road, he said.

Kennedy Capital Group President Rick Martin credited Mr. Rice's comments for the board's denial.

"I don't think it would have been turned out without the strong objection of the Augusta National," said Mr. Martin. His company will now seek another design and plan for the property.

"We've got to find a way to make it work," he said.

Acting chairman Hardie Davis said the Augusta National might have played a role in the 5-to-1 vote denying the variance, but that it wasn't the main reason.

For example, Mr. Martin showed uncertainty when describing how tall the building would be after construction, Mr. Davis said.

Board member King Singleton made the only vote in favor of the height variance, adding that it's not every day a project of this magnitude comes into Augusta.

The $120-million-plus proposal would have included 75,000 square feet of new retail space, two stand-alone restaurants totalling more than 10,000 square feet, and a 9,700-square-foot enclosed pavilion on the east side of the 15-acre lot.

Kennedy Capital co-owns the property with Edgefield County resident Wayne Raiford, former owner of Wacky Wayne's Fireworks.

Initially, the developers proposed a 197-foot condominium tower, but it was reduced to 105 feet in hopes of getting approval.

Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@augustachronicle.com.