Land along the steep Monroe Street hill in North Spokane will be able to hold up 30 homes or apartments per acre under a plan approved Monday by the City Council.

The council voted 6-1 late Monday  to change the comprehensive plan to allow up to 30 residential units per acre on a little less than two acres of land on the West side of Monroe between Courtland and Glass Avenues. The vacant property is owned by the city.

City officials say the designation provides for more flexibility in designing the site, and that it is highly unlikely that any project will include the maximum number of residences. The city’s Community Development Department hopes to partner with a nonprofit group to develop and sell the vacant land.

Many neighbors opposed the change, in large part because the city doesn’t have specific plans for the site.

The council voted to require that any development on the site be reviewed first by the city’s Design Review Board. Councilman Jon Snyder argued that the process would give neighbors an extra step to consider plans.

Councilman Steve Corker cast the lone vote against the proposal.