Jim Gorman and Steve Mudge withdrew their objections to Place Properties' proposed development at the last minute Monday, which meant the City Council did not need a super majority vote in order to approve the development. The final vote for rezoning was 4-3 in favor, but it would have failed without their withdrawal.
The residents of the Steinmeyer subdivision had strongly protested the development, which is expected to house 480 college students, citing issues with safety, noise and water runoff. Originally, Mudge and Gorman joined other residents in signing a petition against the development. At least 20 percent of adjoining residents had signed, and thus, a supermajority vote was needed -- five out of seven aldermen.
But about half an hour before Monday's meeting, Mudge and Gorman submitted an affidavit withdrawing their objections. Without them, the supermajority vote was not necessary.
"I'm not really taking a position on the development itself," Mudge said. "I hope it helps allay some of the residents' fears."
He declined to say how much Place Properties paid for the six-acre tract.
Debra Rankin, who has coordinated the neighbors' efforts against Timberland Place, said she feels Place Properties bought the land solely to get the vote.
"Anybody with common sense knows that they were afraid I had that third vote," Rankin said. "It just goes to show, these are the kind of businessmen we'll be dealing with. ... That land was available to them all along. If it was that important, why didn't they buy it in March?"
Mudge said the purchase agreement included Place Properties' promise not to develop that strip, providing a buffer between the student housing and the neighborhood.
The property has been for sale for some time, he said.
"We never envisioned someone would want to buy it from us just for a conservation easement," Mudge said. "Everyone who expressed interest wanted to develop it ... which would have been in everyone's back yard."
Rankin said the additional buffer space will be "nice," but said she did not like the way the sale occurred.
Contact reporter Elizabeth Donald at edonald@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 21.
