I was disappointed last night to see Suffolk City Council approve the plan that could make way for massive residential development south of the downtown area.

The 5-2 vote seemed hypocritical to me. The Planning Commission and Council turned a deaf ear to so many property owners who protested the Unified Development Ordinance and original comprehensive plan guidelines, which limited residential development to certain areas.

The argument was always, “There are more than 10,000 lots already approved for development, approving more would simply encourage sprawl.”

Yet, when one of their own protests the restrictions in his borough, they willingly open up the floodgates.

I’m not necessarily opposed to the property being developed and I’m happy for those who are likely to see a financial windfall from last night’s action. It’s the inconsistency and appearance of favoritism that I find repellent.

Anyway, I think it’s appropriate to acknowledge that Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett and Councilman Calvin Jones, whether right or wrong, at least stuck to their guns