“We think this proposal is entirely out of place and will destroy the scale and character of the village forever,” said Young, who said he has lived in the neighborhood with his wife for 46 years and also grew up there.

Young was one of about 20 people who spoke at the meeting. Of those who criticized the plan, most raised concerns about parking and traffic, even some who said they liked the general idea of the new development.

“I think it is going to be great for the neighborhood,” said Dick Fowlkes, owner of the Peter Blair men’s clothing store on Grove. “But my real concern — having been here for 30-some years — is what are you going to do about parking?”

“With the taxes we are paying, and have been paying all these years, we are getting nothing,” Fowlkes said. “What is the city going to do to help us with parking?”

Several people who spoke, however, endorsed the project.

“I think the developers have gone above and beyond in some places to make this plan successful and individual to the community,” said Mark Peterson. “I think the overall benefits are great.”