On June 3, 2008, dozens of members from St. Paul's Cathedral in Bankers Hill congregated at an Uptown Planners meeting to support the church's proposal to build two residential and commercial towers in Bankers Hill.

Residents considered the plans an abomination. One tower would reach 180-feet high, 30-feet over the height restrictions. If built, the tower would become Uptown's tallest structure. Residents and community planners claimed the project didn't fit with the character of the community, that it created safety issues for airplanes, and ignored building setbacks.

The planning committee opposed the project during that meeting. The applicants later shelved the proposal for a later date.

Meanwhile, residents of Uptown have fought hard to implement height restrictions in their community.

Their fight will continue.

Officials from St. Paul's Cathedral are once again moving forward with the permitting process.

On June 30, the City's Development Services Department informed the public that the draft environmental impact report for the St. Paul's Cathedral two tall-towers had been released.

Upon viewing, residents noticed little change in the proposal which includes a total of 110 dwelling units in the two buildings, six of which qualify as affordable units. In addition, plans call for a 30,000-square-foot site for a religious facility, 14,000 square feet of commercial space, and an underground parking garage.

According to the environmental report, the project will not have adverse impacts to the community. The Uptown planning group is expected to hear the proposal at a future meeting.