Under the developer’s plans, the remainder of the property would be rezoned to allow for mixed use, leaving the door open for a small or medium grocery store, restaurants or other retailers to locate on the site in the future, Lloyd said.

Some commission members questioned the price point of the homes and asked whether the developer would be open to reserve a portion of them for people earning less than the area’s median income.

Lloyd said Harper Associates felt that was not feasible, given that they had scaled back the density of the development — from 145 homes to 111 homes — after incorporating feedback from the adjacent neighborhoods.

Two civic groups in the vicinity, the Springhill Civic Association and the Woodland Heights Civic Association, endorsed the request for the special-use permit. Also supporting the request is 5th District Councilman Parker Agelasto, who represents the area. He said he believed the project would contribute to the revitalization of the area.

“This is significant development on a property that frankly no one wants to see continue in its current fashion, let alone vacant,” Agelasto told the commission.

The special-use permit requires approval from the City Council, which is expected to take up the request this month.