Members of the Georgetown Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3-2 on Nov. 17 to recommend City Council approve a rezoning request with conditions the proposed project be modified to meet city code requirements.

Chairman Josh Schroeder recused himself from the proceedings, and vice chairman Kevin Pitts was absent.

Developer Lee McIntosh requested to rezone the former Georgetown Hospital property at 605 E. University Ave. from local commercial zoning to about 1 acre of a planned unit development, or PUD, with a base multifamily 2 zoning and 0.16 acres to single-family residential zoning to build a 32-unit multifamily development known as College View Apartments. The 0.16 acres is home to a historic house, which was built in 1880 and would remain on the property, according to city documents.

The proposed development includes several deviations from the city’s zoning regulations, including increased impervious cover, changes to the building setbacks from the street and other properties, the building height and landscaping requirements.

McIntosh’s proposal also exceeds the city’s maximum density of 24 units per acre. The project will use parts of the existing structures, he said.

“This property has been vacant on and off for almost 25 years,” he said, adding that he believed his proposal was the highest and best use for the property.

Several residents from the Old Town neighborhood spoke against the project, and one spoke in favor.

“This is my neighborhood,” resident Gretchen Johnston said. “I don’t have any issues with putting some kind of apartment complex on that property, but I have to agree that it’s just too big for this particular lot.”

City Council will hear the rezoning case at its Nov. 24 meeting. At that time, the council will also hear an appeal to the city’s Historic and Architectural Review Commission's denial of a certificate of design compliance for the project.

Georgetown Senior Planner Matt Synatschk said the council could approve the rezoning as the commission recommended, approve the rezoning as proposed with no conditions or deny the rezoning all together.

City Council meets at 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in Council Chambers at 101 E. Seventh St.