Plans for a West Mifflin apartment complex hit another speed bump when it was referred to a March 15 Common Council meeting Tuesday night.
Developer of the project Pat McCaughey said the goal was to put a nice building in a blighted area.
""Hopefully with testimony and more information from architects, supporters we can take a look and keep this thing moving along,"" McCaughey said.
Members of the ""Save Mifflin"" Facebook group Kate Robertson, Hannah Somers and Indy Stluka spoke out against the project.
Legislative Affairs Chair Sam Polstein said the proposal doesn't go along with the character of the neighborhood. The neighborhood as it is right now is unique and affordable, Polstein said.
However, supporter Rosemary Lee, a Madison resident, said the project does not deserve any further delays.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, asked council members to refer the project for the March 15 Common Council meeting.
Verveer said the only reason he asked for referral of the project was because the Urban Design Commission has not yet granted final approval.
Many of the alders, including Ald. Larry Palm, District 15, and Ald. Julia Kerr, District 13, said they would vote to refer the item out of respect to Verveer.
Ald. Judy Compton, District 16, said the students in opposition of the project missed their opportunity to become involved and should have been vocal about their concerns when the developer introduced the project in July.
""Nobody's going to make special rules for you, you are adults,"" Compton said.
Madison's Plan Commission gave the plans final approval Monday. The Urban Design Commission gave the project initial approval last week and is expected to consider the project for final approval March 2.
Council members also approved an authorization of a planning process for the development of a Public Market Square area. The city would provide up to $200,000 to assist in the planning process.
The plans call for a market, underground parking ramp, bicycle center and hotel to accompany the current spot of the Madison Municipal Building.
The project's original purpose was to be built around the proposed high-speed rail station, which has since been canceled.
