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6 Mr. Norris said that approving additional high density outside of the University high density zone removes the pressure on the University to provide housing. He said he likes the project but is concerned that it is setting a tricky precedent. Ms. Hamilton asked what the sense of the Planning Commission was about the project and what was most persuasive about the project. Ms. Walden said the Planning Commission thought it was a difficult project. She said they did not think the height was a problem, and one expressed concern with the density. She said she thinks they were persuaded by the model. Dr. Brown said his inclination is to support the Planning Commission’s recommendation as he does not see a compelling reason not to and he sees nothing to cause him to overturn their recommendation. Ms. Hamilton made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit as proposed for 1707 Jefferson Park Avenue and Dr. Brown seconded the motion. The motion was defeated by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton. Noes: Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit with an increased setback of 25 feet in the front yard. Ms. Walden noted that several Planning Commissioners did not oppose pushing the building back. Mr. Lynch’s motion died for lack of a second. Ms. Hamilton made a motion to send the matter back to the Planning Commission to resolve, and Mr. Taliaferro seconded the motion. Mr. Norris said he would be willing to approve the Special Permit as requested with the exception of the density. He said he thinks a better approach would be to defer the resolution and ask staff to work with the applicant rather than have the matter go back to the Planning Commission. Mr. Robby Knoll, applicant for the project, said that the slope of the site was the first hurdle. He noted that the number of parking spaces is by right. He said that if the building is pushed back into the slope massive retaining walls will be required. He said the density was reduced from what was originally proposed. Ms. Hamilton and Mr. Taliaferro agreed to withdraw their motion. Mr. Norris made a motion to defer the Special Permit so that concerns about the proposed density can be addressed, and Mr. Taliaferro seconded the motion. Mr. Lynch said he agrees that he would like to see less density, but feels that the front dimension is the most intrusive. The motion to defer the Special Permit for 1707 Jefferson Park Avenue was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE : EXCISE TAX INCREASE ON SALE OF CIGARETTES Mr. O’Connell explained that increasing the cigarette tax from 25 cents to 35 cents at the wholesale level was approved by Council as part of the budget, and this ordinance will formalize the increase.