The Richmond City Council last night approved a developer's plan to build a 200-unit residential complex at the south end of the Lee Bridge despite objections from residents.

Council members voted 6-3 for Crosland LLC's plan to build the Manchester on the James complex as condominiums or apartments.

Several dozen residents, many of them wearing neon pink and green "S.O.S." -- Save Our Southside -- stickers, called the four-story complex too large and out of character with single-family homes in the small, historic Springhill neighborhood.

They also expressed concerns about traffic and the potential for renters instead of homeowners, and they called on the city to demand better development for the gateway property along Cowardin Avenue.

"A massive building that creates a wall along the river and is packed with tiny dwelling units conflicts with the scenic and historic character of these neighborhoods," said Carolyn Paulette, who lives on Forest Hill Avenue.

But council members said Crosland offered an attractive plan that would improve the area, which currently includes two billboards, vacant land and several small buildings.

Councilman E. Martin Jewell, who represents the area and voted for the development, said the opponents raised so many objections that he was confused about what their concern really is. He also said the site's current commercial and industrial zoning would allow a storage facility and a gas station, which would have a greater negative impact on neighbors.

Council President William J. Pantele voted against the project, saying he believes the best use for the site is a high-rise development that was once approved for it.

Crosland, a Charlotte, N.C.-based development company, plans the complex on a 2-acre block bounded by Cowardin, Riverside Drive, West 19th Street and Stonewall Avenue. The company plans to build and market the complex as condominiums, but it also asked for the ability to offer apartments to provide market flexibility. The project calls for ground-level retail along Cowardin and a 320-space parking deck.

Also last night, the council voted 9-0 to authorize the city's purchase of the Lehigh Cement Co. property along the James River east of downtown.

Mayor L. Douglas Wilder wants the 1.6-acre property at 3111 Water St. for a park, but last night's vote allows the council to retain the right to make a portion of the site available for private development.

A dozen speakers urged the council to get the land and make it parkland to serve a section of the Virginia Capital Trail, a proposed bicycle and pedestrian path between Richmond and Williamsburg.

The Lehigh property, expected to cost about $2 million, is adjacent to the Richmond Intermediate Terminal, where Wilder has proposed a public marina. Last night's vote allows the city to negotiate for the Lehigh site, but it does not authorize the marina.

"We don't have any more riverfront property," Councilman Douglas G. Conner Jr. said. "It's important for us to capitalize on what we do have."

Councilman Bruce W. Tyler voted for the acquisition despite concerns about the unknown costs of building demolition and site cleanup and about how the riverfront area might be redeveloped. He released an opinion from the city's attorney office that he had no conflict of interest to keep him from voting on the Lehigh purchase because his architectural firm represents the Echo Harbour development on adjacent land. Wilder had accused Tyler of a conflict.

In other business, Pantele said he will send a letter today to Wilder in response to a budget-ordinance violation stemming from last fall's attempt to evict the School Board from City Hall.

In a report released last month, a council investigative committee found that funds appropriated by the budget ordinance for nondepartmental expenditures were transferred by the city administration for office space for the school administration and for eviction costs without the council's knowledge or consent.

Pantele said the letter will request corrective action, which could include proposed budget amendments to legitimize the expenses, within 30 days.

"This notice and opportunity to cure is what is contemplated within our budget law. If it is disregarded, other interested parties can pick it up as they see fit," said Pantele, referring to a possible review by Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring.
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.