Z Properties office project

A Welburn Nursery board member, she supported the project but asked the city to use impact fees for traffic calming, a raised crosswalk, lighting and better signage on Welburn Avenue. She detailed the nursery's new five-year parking lease with Bethel and its plans to grow to 100 children.

She opposed the plan, saying buffers should stay and that the West Side's Black legacy keeps being erased with every big building. She asked that money go to the Heritage Center and that Mary DePew's contribution be monumented so it's not forgotten.

The Rollins graduate and early-education trainer opposed the project over erased cultural identity, saying brick pavers get walked over. She wants a building that honors Mary Lee DePew and the Ideals Women's Club, and asked for more equitable neighborhood conversations.

A retired dentist who built three medical offices, he warned the proposed plastic-surgery suite could eat up the 72 parking spaces fast — every treatment room means two spots plus staff. He also mourned the loss of DePew, where his mother received loving care.

Said putting a building between two churches and a daycare would create a danger zone for children and seniors, and that the community got no notice when DePew was demolished despite earlier promises.

Spoke for Bethel Baptist Church, confirming the developer met with them twice and the church has no problem with the office buildings next door.

A 40-year local real estate broker praised Zane's one-story, lower-density design as a thoughtful development the city should embrace.