Last spring, the committee settled on a stringent set of regulations, including a drastic cut in permitted building height on the most controversial site, the Mahoney’s Garden Center plot—from 120’ to 24’.

Harvard gave up on the beleaguered art museum plan last summer, instead putting forward a plan for graduate student housing.

But the neighborhood’s recommendations met raised eyebrows from the planning board—a city-appointed group which approves all zoning plans—which spent seven months tweaking and relaxing the neighborhood’s recommendations.

This past fall, fearing that the planning board would weaken their proposal, the neighborhood submitted an untouched copy of the their zoning recommendations directly to the council.

Last week, the board wrapped up a moderate proposal—including a 45’ cap on the Mahoney’s site, with provisions for bargaining—which both Harvard and the neighborhood have decried as unfair.

“The restrictions make it infeasible for the University to develop its property,” said Mary H. Power, senior director of community relations for the University.

And Riverside activists are holding firm to their initial demands, saying the planning board is corrupt and inept.

Nine Votes

At Monday’s council meeting, several residents from Riverside stood up one after the other, urging councillors to immediately dismiss the planning board’s proposal.

No councillors declared unconditional support for either proposal at the meeting, but several councillors said this week they think the neighborhood’s petition has merit because it represents the people.

“The neighborhood has a particular vision as to how it should be and evolve,” said Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves ’72. “It would appear that the planning board hasn’t been able to listen closely to the neighborhood and, of course, Harvard’s performance is less than one could reasonably expect.”

Most of the councillors say they are struggling to balance business and development concerns with the needs of the residents.

Councillor Henrietta Davis said she recognizes the need for development on the Harvard sites—but hoped to find a middle ground with the neighborhood.

“The question now is how do we deal with these two proposals and move forward,” Davis said.

Some have already voiced strong support of some form of the Carlson petition, which is in essence designed to maintain the status quo—a small structure which primarily serves residents.