Despite some residents' firm opposition, the Provo Municipal Council changed the general plan Tuesday night, opening the door for more housing in west Provo.

Residents worried that the infrastructure wasn't there for the 70-plus homes proposed for the 30 acres at 600 West 1560 South, and said the city's western border could not handle the development in place already.

But the council said that they were not voting on house size, they were voting on the general plan. The affirmative vote changed the general plan map from agricultural to residential.

The vote was 4-2, with Councilman Steve Turley abstaining due to his involvement in a land sale with Anderson Development in the Edgemont neighborhood. Two residents inquired about Turley's involvement with Anderson Development because of a blog entry on the Anderson Web site that states that the developers are working with the Provo councilman.

Councilwoman Midge Johnson initially called for a motion to deny the resolution but did not get a second. She said she felt the vote was prearranged. She said the neighbors did not hear about the neighborhood meeting -- which many neighbors affirmed in their comments -- and she said she didn't like comments made to her about the votes.

"I was told today that if I didn't vote for it, I wouldn't be invited to any parties," Johnson said.

Council Chair George Stewart said he was joking when he said that, but Johnson said she didn't take it that way, "when it's something that important to a neighborhood, and one of my neighborhoods."

Stewart said he was counting votes.

"Part of the legislative process is counting votes," Stewart said. "I don't apologize for that Midge. When you're in the legislative process, that's part of the process."

Johnson said she felt Stewart shouldn't have asked her how she would vote before receiving public comment.

"I am pleading with you tonight not to put the cart before the horse," resident Kaylynn Robinson said. "We need the infrastructure first."

Resident Dixon Holmes said Provo's west side needs services first. He said there should be a sign for those entering the neighborhood noting that it is restricted access.

Virginia Phillips worried about sewer back-ups in the area, saying that her neighborhood has started to smell every fall. She worries that more homes would only make it worse.

Residents also worried about the high water table, road access, and traffic with more homes.

"I'm for development when it makes sense, when it classes things up a bit," Brian Smith said, noting that if the infrastructure could handle it, the high-end development makes sense. However, he said that without curbs and sidewalks, kids are in danger and that needs to be a priority first.

"Honestly, it's an effort," Smith said. "If someone's not looking, someone gets taken out. There's got to be sidewalks, there's got to be curb and gutter."

The council emphasized that this was a general plan change, and Councilwoman Cynthia Clark, who voted for the resolution, said she would be scrutinizing the plan proposed by developers.

Natalie Andrews-Wardel can be reached at 344-2548 or nandrews@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.