ELLSWORTH — The City Council voted Monday to allow construction of new multiunit housing in the commercial C2 zone, despite protests from Beckwith Hill residents.

The zoning change clears the way for developer Senergy Partners, LLC to apply to build two four-unit apartment buildings on property next to the Beckwith Court condominiums. The application must still undergo Planning Board review.

Councilors said they understood some of the concerns neighbors had with the project, but said the merits of the proposal did not fall under their purview.

“Our job is only to determine whether or not [multiunit housing] should be an allowable use in the C2 zone,” Councilor Stephen Beathem explained.

City Planner Michele Gagnon said that before the apartment project was proposed, city officials had already discussed and favored allowing multiunit housing in the C2 zone. The discussions occurred during workshops on proposed revisions to the city’s land use ordinance.

Those changes are expected to be considered for adoption at the June council meeting.

Beckwith Court residents suggested that the multiunit zoning change was “rushed” and that the council should take more time to consider whether that type of housing was an appropriate use in a commercial zone.

They said the proposed apartments would detract from property values and pose traffic and safety concerns.

Councilors voted 6-1 in favor of the zone change. Pamela Perkins was opposed.

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