Kevin Schammel's conceptual plan for a new apartment complex was approved 4-3 by the Austin City Council Monday night, moving it slowly forward to the next step in developing the former Burr Oak Manor nursing home.

With no testimony from neighborhood residents, council members took their turn voicing opinions on the matter.

The number of units was a focus for opponents on an issue that has seen concerns ranging from parking to green space to traffic and more. Schammel plans on putting in an 18-unit complex. That is six units less than the original plan called for, a 25 percent decrease, but with the rearranging of room sizes, it is a 17 percent decrease in bedrooms.

"It's not about just parking," First Ward Council Member Mickey Jorgenson said. "It's about the density of the property. It just doesn't fit."

First Ward Council Member Lynn Koch said the area should never have been zoned anything but an R-1 (single family residential) district, even to create the nursing home.

"I don't think we should continue making the same mistake," he said.

"In many respects, it is in the best interest of the city of Austin," Third Ward Council Member Tracey Chamberlain said. "But try as I might, I can not convince myself this is the right thing to do … simply because I can not accept the number 18 in the plan."

Those three, Jorgenson, Koch and Chamberlain, were the votes in opposition to the conceptual plan.

Third Ward Council Member Gloria Nordin said the building could not sit empty.

"I have walked around that area," she said. "I thought what a shame, what a shame to have something like that in a nice neighborhood-area, and it can't be used."

Hers was one of four votes for the conceptual plan, but after the meeting, she said it was a difficult issue for her.

"That was the toughest decision. That was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make while I've been on that council," she said.

That vote is not the last the council will have to face regarding the former Burr Oak Manor.

The vote on the conceptual plan simply gives Schammel the OK to pursue the endeavor. He now has to resubmit an application for the rezoning of the lot from an R-1 to a Planned Development District.

That will have to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission before the council can vote on it.

In other city council business:

n The council also approved an employment offer to Rhonda Kjarland for the senior accountant position.

The spot opened up in January, but was not filled because the finance office decided to see if the duties could be handled without another employee. This was done for the sake of helping off-set city budget problems, however, the work proved to be too much for the current staff level.

Kjarland is scheduled to begin in the finance office June 23.

n The landlord association addressed the council with concerns about the Crime Free Multi-Housing ordinance currently being considered by the council.

The ordinance would create a licensing system for landlords, and based on housing conditions and the amount of police calls to a particular landlords rental units, that license could be changed or revoked. Properties would be inspected periodically.

Dawn Taylor and Shay Nelson spoke on behalf of the landlords.

Taylor said a number of agencies such as Planning and Zoning, the Fire Department, Minnesota Housing and others already inspect the units.

"Just to be blunt, I'm inspected to death," she said. "We don't need any more inspections."

She said the landlords have enough measures in place to prevent or deal with problems, and they do not need to be licensed.

Second Ward Council Member Pete Christopherson, a proponent of the ordinance, said he sees a need for the regulations, but is open to input from landlords.

"I want a clean city. I want a safe city," he said. "And by going through this process, we'll come to a happy medium."

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com