PEABODY — The Industrial & Community Development Committee discussed three proposed zoning amendments, ultimately keeping one in commission for more discussion, voting unfavorably on the next, and voting favorably on the last.

The first proposed zoning amendment sought to change the zoning district for 495 Lowell St. from R-1B to R4.

Attorney John Keilty, representing the petitioner, said the rezoning would allow construction of two duplexes, or four total housing units, instead of four single-family homes.

He argued the proposal would still result in four housing units while avoiding the need to build a new road and blast large amounts of ledge on the property. Keilty acknowledged the request amounted to what he called “classic” spot zoning but argued it served a practical purpose.

Several councilors questioned whether changing the zoning could set a precedent or allow more intensive commercial uses if the property’s ownership changes.

Ward 3 Councilor Peach suggested exploring whether the parcel could instead be divided into two lots and rezoned to R-2, while Keilty also floated the possibility of using contract zoning to restrict future uses, such as retail.

Councilor-at-Large Tom Rossignoll said the proposal could be more palatable if additional restrictions were put in place, but committee members agreed more information was needed before moving forward.

On Peach’s motion, the committee voted unanimously to leave the proposal in committee while the petitioner explores the R-2 option.

The second proposed zoning amendment, also presented by Keilty, was to change the zoning district for 196 Lake St. and 194 Lake St. from R-1 to R-3.

Keilty said the rezoning could allow up to 36 housing units, including 20% affordable units required under the city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance. He argued the site sits near commercial zoning, Huntington Woods, and major highways, making it an appropriate location for additional housing.

The proposal quickly met resistance from committee members.

Ward 6 Councilor Michael Higgins said the development would not fit the surrounding neighborhood and called it “a hard no,” citing concerns raised by residents.

Rossignoll said 36 units at the end of Lake Street would be “an absolute eyesore,” while Councilor-at-Large Jon Turco called the proposal “insane” and said he could never support that level of density on the site.

Councilor-at-Large Jarrod Hochman also questioned whether major new development in West Peabody was appropriate given ongoing water supply concerns, arguing additional growth should not increase costs for the rest of the city.

Ultimately, Rossignoll’s motion to send the proposal to the full council with an unfavorable recommendation passed unanimously. The proposal was sent to the Planning Board and City Council to schedule public hearings.

The final proposed zoning amendment, also presented by Keilty, was to change the zoning district for 30 Lake St. and 0 Lake St. from R-1 to BN.

This was the simplest decision of the night, as Keilty explained that the petitioner purchased the property in 2017 with paperwork identifying it as BN zoning. He said the parcel was later listed as R-1 by the assessor’s office, although no one could determine exactly when or why the designation changed. The petitioner is now seeking to restore what he believed was the property’s original zoning.

Rossignoll said he and Higgins had reviewed documentation showing the property was identified as BN at the time of purchase and said the petitioner appeared to have acted in good faith. Higgins agreed the city should investigate how the zoning designation changed and said he wanted documentation confirming when the change occurred.

Peach added that the property’s online assessment records appeared “unusual” and supported the need to review the property’s history.

According to Rossignoll, the petitioner first discovered the issue after receiving a higher tax bill because the property had been reclassified as residential. Keilty told the committee he would work with Community Development to determine exactly when the zoning designation changed.

Peach’s motion to report favorably on this proposal, send it to the Planning Board and City Council, and set up public hearings passed unanimously.