A proposal for student housing is causing concern in Vestal.

The apartment complex on Bunn Hill Road would come complete with a fitness center and clubhouse.

Wednesday night's board meeting gave Vestal residents the chance to share their opinions about the proposal.

And there was hardly an empty seat.

"Vestal is a little piece of heaven."

But many people who live in the town are worried that a student housing complex would change that.

"We're not opposed to any of the development and growth issues. But what I'm opposed to is the choice for this location," says Stacy Taylor of Vestal.

The Grove, an 11 building apartment complex would be built on Bunn Hill road, close to the Binghamton University Entrance.

"The college is with us. They're here. They're in Vestal," says Vestal Supervisor Peter Andreasen.

A North Carolina developing company wants to have The Grove packed with students by fall 2009.

But at this meeting, questions were raised about that developer's reputation and past projects.

People who live near the proposed site also brought up concerns about increased traffic and the impact a multi-building complex would have on the environment.

"People bought in the area because it was beautiful. They built their homes and they expected it would stay that way," says Shirley Ernst of Vestal.

"It can be beneficial if its done right but its got to be done right. And I hope there isn't any pilot program that's gonna give them any free taxes and all that stuff because that just puts the burden on the town," says Boyd Kennicutt of Vestal.

Andreasen says hearing from everyone, helps the board make a decision that's in the best interest of the town.

"There's good change and bad change. There's good development and bad development. What we're hoping for is that we do things that are good," says Andreasen.

So far the board has received 19 petitions... 18 against the proposal and a solo supporter.

The next step in the project happens next Tuesday.

That's when the planning board will meet to look at a site sketch.

If the proposal is eventually approved, the area would need to be re-zoned from residential to multifamily.