U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development officials heard an earful from North Richmond residents on Monday evening, who lobbed intense criticisms, frustrations and questions about a planned development in the Ginter Park neighborhood.

More than 150 people appeared for a public forum held by HUD, which is weighing a financing application submitted for a planned 301-unit apartment community called Canopy at Ginter Park on what is currently 15 acres of green space that is part of the so-called Westwood tract.

The land is owned by Union Presbyterian Seminary, which is working with Tennessee-based Bristol Development Group for the project.

The federal agency held the meeting in Lake Chapel to hear from residents about the effects the development would have on historic resources, though residents deviated frequently from that talking point during a meeting that stretched close to four hours.

Earlier in the day, North Richmonders issued a news release suggesting alternative uses of the land to “lessen the impact” on the environment, schools, traffic and other concerns.

Sarah Driggs, one of the residents who authored the release and an architectural historian, also raised objections during the public forum.