UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – Residents in University City say they plan to fight a proposal to build an apartment complex near River des Peres. 

It comes three years after historic flooding devastated areas close to the river following torrential rainfall.

On Tuesday, neighbors showed up to a stormwater commission meeting held at the Heman Park Community Center to express their concerns. 

The proposed development by William James Capital LLC. would clear several acres of dense forestry by the United Hebrew Cemetery, located by the intersection of Canton Ave. and North and South Rd.

While the proposal is far from approved, those in favor pointed to the need for more affordable housing and mitigation efforts presented by the developer. 

Neighbors have argued the project presents too many risks in a vulnerable area that’s still recovering from a devastating flood.