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The sa国际传媒官网网页入口 City Council voted down zoning changes that would have allowed townhomes and duplexes in single-family neighborhoods citywide, as well as loosening other regulations.

The measure failed on a 5-4 vote.

Another proposed amendment would loosen requirements for Safe Outdoor Spaces, which are sanctioned homeless encampments on private property. The program has existed for more than three years, but only one site has received a permit due to onerous and expensive requirements.

That measure also failed on a 5-4 vote.

An additional amendment that would have legalized small grocery stores and retailers like bodegas in neighborhoods also failed on a 5-4 vote.

The city councilors who voted against the proposals were Ren茅e Grout, Dan Champine, Dan Lewis, Brook Bassan and Council President Klarissa Pe帽a. The supporting group included Councilors Stephanie Telles, Nichole Rogers, Joaqu铆n Baca and sponsor Tammy Fiebelkorn.

Opposing Councilor Lewis said he voted down the measure on behalf of homeowners in his suburban district who intentionally bought property in less dense parts of town and are against zoning changes.

In contrast, Fiebelkorn said that the current zoning code is discriminatory against low-income residents, saying that single-family zoning only exists to 鈥渒eep 鈥榯hose people鈥� out of your neighborhood.鈥�

An at-first timid public commenter addressed both sides of the zoning debate Wednesday night.

鈥淭here are ways that balance both the issues with protecting character and allowing duplexes,鈥� said Adam Newe.

He implored both sides to come to a compromise, offering suggestions that would preserve neighborhood character and allow development. For example, zoning could require townhomes to be set back and look like single-family homes. To assuage fears about gentrification, Newe suggested that to upzone a lot, an owner should be required to live in at least one of the two units. This would prevent an out-of-state landlord from doubling their profit to the neighborhood鈥檚 detriment, he reasoned.

鈥淚t's a breath of fresh air to hear somebody talk about compromise and working together,鈥� said Council President Klarissa Pe帽a, who rarely directly responds to public commenters.

Though a host of zoning changes have been proposed, one change has drawn the most praise and ire.

A push to allow multifamily homes, like townhomes and duplexes, on lots zoned for single-family homes has been amended in, amended out and is said to come back in tonight鈥檚 council meeting.

For some, the zoning change is about more than development but the trickle-down effect that the lack of housing causes by worsening poverty and homelessness.

鈥淚n my work I see the downstream effects of your policy,鈥� said Brandi Thompson, an emergency room nurse and founder of the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 chapter of advocacy group Strong Towns. 鈥淚 see people mowed down on streets designed for speed rather than safety. I see isolation, instability and too many people without shelter.鈥�

Proponents say that removing regulations will create more housing in a city that is estimated to be short tens of thousands of housing units.

However, opponents say that the zoning changes could gentrify and disrupt their neighborhoods.

鈥淭his is the American dream,鈥� said public commenter Keith Allen. 鈥淧eople work for 30 or 40 years for a (residential) zoning place. We want to keep those requirements."

Councilors are set to discuss controversial amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance shortly.

With more than 70 people signed up for public comment on the zoning change and discussion to follow, it's likely to be a long night.

A vote on the measure isn't expected until late in the evening.

Dressed in bright blue tactical gear, Skyline, sa国际传媒官网网页入口's local superhero, sat in the council chamber's front row Wednesday.

Skyline recently went viral on social media for assisting homeless people and attending protests while dressed in a head-to-toe superhero outfit and helmet.

Councilor Joaqu铆n Baca briefly interrupted the meeting to give the vigilante Good Samaritan a quick shout-out.

"My teenage sons asked me to give a shoutout to Skyline if he showed up to Council again," Baca said.

Skyline posts his "missions" , hoping to inspire empathy and mutual aid in the community.