City commissioners Tuesday approved plans for a new 39-home single family housing development near Mary’s Lake near 31st Street and Haskell Avenue.

Commissioners approved the project on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner David Schauner voted against the development because the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission had recommended denial, in part because the development would include a cul-de-sac that was nearly 200 feet longer than the maximum allowed in the city’s code.

But commissioners said the project was worthy of a variance from the city code because it was a good example of infill development and it would help protect the Mary’s Lake property, which is operated as a city park.

As part of the project, developers have agreed to sell the city approximately six acres of wooded property for roughly $260,000 that will be used to expand the park around Mary’s Lake.

The housing project is located on vacant ground that previously was part of the Honeywell Industries manufacturing complex.