Originally Posted by
Blue Dude
Because it costs regulators nothing at all to postpone a decision, during which time some reason might present itself that would allow them to say no. The clock runs out, no definitive action was taken, so nobody is accountable for anything. The most dangerous response for a bureaucrat is to say yes.
I also suspect a competitor from Atlanta likely filed an objection and/or otherwise put some pressure to deny the application, which they ultimately didn't accomplish, but may have resulted in the delay.