During a recent city council meeting, officials discussed an appeal regarding a proposed amendment for the development of multifamily units on two parcels of land. The initial request was presented to the Community Planning and Preservation Commission on May 14, where it faced significant opposition, resulting in a unanimous vote of zero to seven against the amendment.

Following this decision, an appeal was filed on May 23, prompting the city council to consider the matter. According to city code, the council must address both the appeal and the map amendment request simultaneously. To approve the amendment, a supermajority vote is required, necessitating at least five votes from the seven-member council.

The parcels in question are located on opposite sides of 70th Street South, near First Avenue South and Pasadena Avenue South. Currently designated for institutional use, which accommodates the Pasadena Community Church, the applicant seeks to change the future land use designation to Residential Medium (RM) to facilitate multifamily development. The existing zoning is classified as NT-3, primarily for single-family homes, but the applicant proposes a shift to NSM (Neighborhood Suburban Multifamily) zoning.

The discussion included an overview of the surrounding area, highlighting commercial mixed-use properties to the north and predominantly single-family residential neighborhoods to the west. The council is expected to receive further legal guidance as they navigate the complexities of the appeal and the proposed zoning changes.