LEWISTON — The City Council on Tuesday denied a request for a conditional rezoning of a large property off Webster Street that, if approved, would have been part of a 37-unit senior housing development. 

The 3-4 vote came after a lengthy discussion between councilors and several members of the immediate neighborhood, who spoke out against the proposal. 

The rezoning would have changed the property surrounding 209 Webster St. from the Neighborhood Conservation “A” District to the Office Residential District. 

The Planning Board had recently voted unanimously to send the item to the council. 

Property owners Louis and Laurie Ouellette planned to use the property, along with adjacent properties under their ownership, for a modern senior housing project. The house at 209 Webster St. would be razed to make way for the development. 

A number of surrounding residents said the large development would have too much of an impact on the neighborhood, affecting traffic and other infrastructure.

Many of the councilors agreed.

Councilor Michael Lachance, the most vocal of the councilors on the topic, said he believed it was in the neighborhood’s best interest to keep the area primarily single-family homes. 

Lewiston City Planner David Hediger said that if the proposal failed, the developer would be essentially “starting over,” and may return to the Planning Board.