MILFORD — City Council has turned down plans to develop a 167-acre site south of the city for 355 single-family homes.

        After a series of public hearings that began in December, council voted 7-0 Wednesday night against the project, on the largest undeveloped tract in the city.

        Bryco Co. had proposed the project, which would have included a connector road between Garfield Avenue and South Milford Road.

        The Milford Planning Commission had recommended in November that Bryco's plans be rejected.

        Council members had concerns about the small size of the lots — 6,000 to 9,600 square feet — development close to the banks of the East Fork of the Little Miami River, and traffic congestion.

        “We didn't feel it met the terms of our zoning regulations,” said Councilman Lou Bishop.

        C. Francis Barrett, attorney for the Bryco Co., said the company wanted to work with council and area residents to address their concerns. Bryco set up tours of similar developments, and addressed concerns about elevations and drainage, protecting the riverbanks and preserving trees, said Mr. Barrett.

        He said larger lots were not feasible.

        “So we clustered homes on smaller lots,” said Mr. Barrett. “And yet the overall density is less than three units an acre.

        “The actual permitted density is four units per acre. Obviously there are people who would prefer to keep that property in its open state,” Mr. Barrett said.

        Residents who lived on nearby South Milford Road, Laurel Street and Garfield Avenue wrote to the city opposing developing the land for homes. Some were form letters that read, “Vote no on Bryco!”

        Many of the letters made the same point, complaining of “too many houses jammed in such a small area,” “overloading our streets with traffic,” and some suggesting the land be kept a greenarea.

        Mr. Barrett said Bryco has not decided on what, if anything, to do next.

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