In a heated session lasting over two hours that saw audience members occasionally speaking angrily over city commissioners, the TC Commission voted 6-1 last night to schedule a rezoning request for 101 North Madison Street for enactment in two weeks. Commissioner Jeanine Easterday was the sole dissenting vote on the agenda item.

The request from architect John Kerridge, representing property owner Kemal Cinaroglu, is to rezone the parcel located at Madison and West Front Street to allow for the construction of four single-family homes. The property's current zoning limits construction to three such units. Neighbors objected to the project, fearing it would lead to increased traffic congestion and density. "The traffic needs to be addressed before we add eight to twelve additional cars coming out of (that driveway)," one commenter said.

Though commissioners said they heard and understood neighborhood concerns, they also noted the plan meets both the city's Master Plan and Corridors Master Plan. Commissioner Barbara Budros, pointing out that even higher density usage had been proposed for the site by various city staff, called the proposal "a good compromise." The rezoning request will return to the City Commission for final approval in two weeks and will require five affirmative votes to pass.

Commissioners last night also approved executing a contract with Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering for $84,523 to take over a planned reconstruction this year of Garland Street in the Warehouse District. Greenan and Associates had previously been hired to manage the project, but subsequently went out of business.