COLUMBIA - The Columbia City Council approved plans Monday to develop the Kelly Farms property.
The land is located north of Stadium Boulevard and extends to Timberhill Road. The current plans will accommodate single-family houses and apartment buildings.
Several Timberhill residents expressed concern over the project, but the neighborhood's president, Harold Johnson, said many issues have been resolved.
"I think we're pretty well pleased with the development," he said.
Johnson said the residents have met several times to discuss the request over the last few weeks.
He said one of the concerns was a buffer zone, but developers recently increased the zone to 200 feet. He said residents did not want to lose some of the timber that separated Timberhill from Kelly Farms.
"They've made adjustments. It's more desirable for our neighborhood," he said.
Johnson said there was also a safety concern. He said the city is helping plan an emergency exit from the neighborhood.
Johnson said he thinks most residents will be pleased if the council approves the measure, because the alternative could mean a commercial development. He said the single-family housing in particular is nice for the neighborhood.
The council unanimously approved the rezoning project.