Wagner pointed out that smaller units could be considered family apartments.

“There's an assumption that quote, preserving family units, means a mom and dad and a couple of kids,” said Wagner. “The definition of family is much more flexible than a hetrosexulal couple.”

The daughter of the developer, Cliff Fischer, spoke to the commission, saying that she and some friends had canvassed the neighborhood and found overall support for the project, with 186 out of 197 people expressing support for the old or updated design of the project, and only 11 saying they did not support the development.

Wagner said there seemed to be a contradiction between the sentiment to preserve the character of the neighborhood and a city plan for nearby James Madison Park that calls for higher-density development, as stated in the Downtown Plan.

“I don’t see the balance they’re trying to achieve,” Wagner told the commission.

Rafeeq Asad, a design professional on the commission, also saw contradictions between plans for the neighborhood and the potential of the development.

“Based on the standard, it’s a no, but based on everything else, it makes sense” Asad said, noting that nearby apartments like the Galaxie don’t tend to draw families.

The committee made and passed a motion 6-2 to refer the proposal, with DeChant and Asad voting against. The project is scheduled to appear before the Plan Commission at its Jan. 9 meeting.

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