SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) 70 percent of the neighbors around a proposed 96-unit apartment complex near 85th and Brett in Sioux Falls have signed a petition to stop it.
That's according to Spokesman Nathan Schauer, who says if the apartments can butt up against single family homes in his neighborhood, the same can happen elsewhere in the city.
"If the city council allows this certain project to pass, down the road, you are going to see developers and builders reference this as leverage to get their project pushed through," warns Schauer.
City Council earlier this month voted 7-1 to rezone the land to allow the Costello Cos. to build the affordable housing project. Mayor Mike Huether has said that the lack of affordable housing in booming Sioux Falls is one of the city's biggest challenges.
Schauer says the petition should force Council to reconsider the vote.
"It has to be put on the next city council agenda. So it requires the city council members to re-vote for it, so it gives us another opportunity to express our concerns." Schauer further says that all they need is three votes to block it.
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