A city resident urged the Mount Vernon City Council to pause new development approvals until the council reviews whether building projects are being equitably distributed between the city's South and North sides.

“My name is Nan Shands, and I'm a city resident and native of Mount Vernon,” Nan Shands told the council during public comment. “I invite your attention to the issue of equity… I contend that there's a lack of equity when it comes to what happens on the South Side and what happens on the North Side Of Mount Vernon.”

Shands identified a land-use proposal at 454 South Ninth Avenue and said she wished to “more clearly delineate each of the various issues” and to focus on equity. She asked that the council review “laws, codes, regular regulations, policies, ordinances, practices, and customs” and, if a disparity exists, suspend building proposals until adjustments are made.

Shands also called for a citizens review board to operate alongside the zoning board, planning board and architectural review board to monitor fairness in permitting and project distribution.

Council members responded that they would follow up. Councilman Batson and others said they would speak with Shands offline to get more details and to ensure her concerns were recorded. Gleason said she would review the application with finance and planning and directed legislative staff to contact Shands about next steps.

No suspension or moratorium was enacted at the meeting; council members said they would gather information and continue the conversation with the resident and relevant departments.

Ending: Council members asked staff to contact Shands and promised further review of the 454 South Ninth Avenue proposal by planning and finance staff prior to any definitive council action.