Due to protest petitions from residents and landowners near the site, the vote to rezone needed approval by three-fourths of those council members present. Opponents spoke of noise concerns and the potential for declining property values.

Evan Weir, a neighbor who signed the petition against the project, said that everyone deserves a safe place to live but that the tiny houses will set “a dangerous precedent for future developments” because the houses won’t meet building codes. He mentioned a lack of foundations, plumbing and sanitary connections.

The houses are just 98 square feet and are on wheels. Supporters stressed the human factor, saying that while tiny houses are not the ultimate answer to the homelessness problem, they would provide at least a modicum of safety and dignity to people who have nothing.

“It is time we take a leap of faith,” said Ald. Lisa Subeck, District 1. If the project doesn’t work, the city has mechanisms in place to undo it, she said.

Ald. Larry Palm, whose 12th District includes the Sanchez Motors site, said, “We’re planning for success and managing for failure.”