(CNN) Google's parent company has scaled back its plans for developing a Toronto neighborhood to potentially get approval from local officials following a backlash that put the project's future in doubt.

Waterfront Toronto, the government agency overseeing the development, announced Thursday that it has agreed to evaluate Alphabet's plans after major concessions from the tech company, including a much smaller plot of land for the development and less control over data. The agreement keeps Alphabet's project alive.

the process to select Alphabet was rushed. Several officials, including the head of Waterfront Toronto, have since resigned. Alphabet's goal to build a model neighborhood for the digital age has been controversial since it was announced in October 2017 . Last year, Ontario's auditor general saidthe process to select Alphabet was rushed. Several officials, including the head of Waterfront Toronto, have since resigned.

"They asked for too much land, too much control over data, and too much control over governance," said Joe Cressy, a Toronto city councilman who sits on Waterfront Toronto's board of directors. "These are significant changes that make taking the next step possible. Without them, we would have had a responsibility to say 'no'."

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