An 11-story condominium project proposed for downtown hit a snag April 2 when the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission tied 3-3, failing to pass a motion to endorse the project.

Without that endorsement, the proposed Parkside Condominiums will have a much lower chance of being approved by City Council.
The project, which is being proposed by developer Stewart Coleman, would be built just west of City Hall, in City-County Plaza.

The proposal has been controversial from the beginning, in part because a portion of the land that Coleman plans to use was sold to him by the Buncombe County Commissioners, even though it was originally donated to the county by George Willis Pack to be used for public purposes. A large magnolia tree planted on that parcel would be cut down for the project.

More than 80 people attended the meeting and many of them, including former Mayor Leni Sitnick, urged the board to reject Coleman’s proposal.

Opponents said the building would overshadow nearby buildings, including the iconic City Hall and Buncombe County Courthouse.