Changes to a yet-to-be-named 48-unit project near downtown Bonita Springs weren’t enough to get the go ahead from city leaders.

City council members voted 4-3 against the project April 2.

Sagamore Management Co. came to the Council seeking approval to build 24 duplexes on 4.6 acres at the northeast corner of Dean Street and Matheson Avenue. City planning staff had recommended approval, while the planning board voted 4-1 against the project Nov. 19.

The developer made several changes to the plans in hopes of getting approval, including increasing the number of parking spaces, an additional sidewalk, expanded setbacks and more landscaping. The builder continued to request one deviation, allowing the space between homes to be 10 feet instead of 20 feet.

The vote came down to one issue, as council members against the project thought the density of 48 units was too much even though it was less than the city’s maximum number of units per acre.

Richard Forman, president of Sagamore Management Co., presented for the project. He spoke about how Bonita needs workforce housing and how he had made changes after listening to residents. The changes weren’t enough, however, because the development didn’t change the density.

Council member Jesse Purdon said he met several times with Forman and never received any concessions when it came to the number of units.

“They refused to play ball,” he said before announcing he would vote no.

“The density makes the project feasible,” Forman said.

Most people during the public forum spoke out against the project because of the density.

“I don’t see it as a safe project,” said Diana Walker, who lives on Matheson Avenue.

Five people spoke in favor of the project, saying affordable housing was needed and the development was meeting the city’s standards.

Council members who voted in favor of the project said the developer made a good effort to answer neighbors’ concerns, the need for workforce housing and why Segamore Management shouldn’t be punished when it is meeting all the city’s standards.

“We need housing,” Councilman Nigel Fullick said. “I wish it would be less dense, but it didn’t fail to meet the standards.”

Council members Chris Corrie, Jim Fitzpatrick and Jamie Bogacz agreed with Purdon’s no vote.

“It’s not fitting for the neighborhood,” Bogacz said.

Sagamore, at the end of the meeting, said they could cut the project by two units.

“That’s not going to do it,” Purdon said.

Sagamore can go through the rezoning process with a new plan, council members said.