The Planning Commission has recommended approval for six new townhomes at 207 and 209 Old Mountain Road near the Incline Railway at St. Elmo.
Allen Jones of ASA Engineering said they will be three stories - two as seen from Old Mountain Road.
One condition placed on the steep-slope project was that a sloping hillside not be disturbed with either buildings or parking.
Officials said that was the first such steep slope restriction that had been placed on a local building project. The City Council has been studying tighter controls on building on steep slopes and flood plains.
There will be a 20-foot landscape buffer, but Mr. Jones said it may be covered by kudzu from an adjacent property.
Gerald Jones, whose family has lived on Old Mountain Road since 1965, wanted to make sure that there could not be a later commercial use since the new zoning is Urban General Commercial.
He was told that there is a restriction added that it be residential only.
Mr. Jones said, "This was once a flourishing neighborhood and we love to see that St. Elmo is flourishing again. All the new houses just look great."