A public hearing for the rezoning of the former Burr Oak Manor nursing home property is on the agenda for Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Kevin Schammel has proposed an 18-unit multi-family apartment complex on the site but needs to have the property rezoned before he can build.

It is currently an R-1 (single family residence) district, and Schammel hopes to get a PDR (Planned Development Residential) district classification from the city council.

First, however, the Planning and Zoning Commission had to approve the plans.

Before the rezoning could come to a vote, the conceptual plan had to be approved. The commission passed the conceptual plan for the complex at their May 13 meeting by a 4-2 vote, and the city council followed, approving it by a 4-3 vote.

The plan has had fierce opposition from residents in the area, who list concerns including noise, parking problems, increased traffic and decreased property values in the neighborhood.

Planning commission and city council members also have debated the issue during meetings. One of the main focuses of those debates is whether or not an 18-unit complex is too dense for the area.

Schammel has changed his plans a number of times to appease residents. His original plan included 24 units and 30 parking stalls. The current plan has 18 units and 36 parking stalls. However, residents have said that in increasing the number of bedrooms per unit, the density is not reduced adequately.

If the commission approves the request, it will be put on the council meeting agenda for final approval.

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