The Dean rezoning

Asked what the rush is, questioned the absence of an approved building plan, raised floodplain concerns, and urged a background check on the private-equity developer.

Said a 14-story building belongs downtown, not at the edge of a residential block his family has owned for 60 years.

Called the project a reincarnation of the defeated Moravian and said it would destroy affordable apartments while offering none in return.

Said the tower will hurt his property value and scuttle his retirement plan, and accused the city of capricious zoning decisions on the block.

Spoke for the Germantown Neighborhood Association, calling the spot rezoning preposterous and warning of floodway impacts, traffic and property rights.

Questioned rezoning before the comprehensive land use plan is finished and criticized recent building design standards on Main Street.

Said he feels unrepresented since his Ward 1 councilmembers were absent, and argued a PUD would have delivered roughly 27 affordable units.

Supported the rezoning, saying downtown has grown around the site and it's an ideal spot for dense student housing near transit.

Argued the site should be D2 at most and said the developer should return with a PUD offering about 30 affordable units.

Said he'd planned to urge postponement of the 558 S Fifth Ave rezoning but deferred given the night's immigration focus.