A battle between old and new continues as Monroe Street’s historic Arbor House and local developer debate a newly proposed apartment building in the neighborhood.

After an initial vote in favor of the apartment, backed by developer Patrick Corcoran, the city’s Landmarks Commission withdrew support after more concerns were raised by Arbor House owner John Imes.

Imes said he worries over the intrusiveness of the proposed building, presenting the commission with a 3D model to demonstrate the apartment in relation to the Arbor House. Corcoran presented his own computer model, and said the Arbor House’s was outdated and posed an inaccurate representation.

“They just have this white box sitting next to their structures, and it’s a little disingenuous and not very accurate,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran said the Arbor House model did not account for balconies and other structures that affect its scale.

Imes said he stands with his model and thinks it was necessary to give the commissions an opportunity to pause and discuss the issues that were not addressed at the initial meeting.

“We really felt it was important that people understand what’s really being proposed, and some people are not happy with us,” Imes said. “We just think this is too important. This is going to define and change and affect, we think in a negative way, this national historic landmark site and this national award-winning business and this very special neighborhood.”

The Arbor Inn model was enough to convince the Landmarks Commission, who voted down the project 3-2. The design for the project has already changed from the original plan after initial feedback was given on the design, including reducing the building from four stories to three and pulling back on square footage reaching to the corner of the property.

Corcoran said the proposed building by Patrick Properties would serve anyone from young professionals to “empty-nesters.” The building plans on having mixed bedrooms, ranging from two to three bedrooms. Corcoran said he is within zoning limits, and that the building is planned to be 12.5 percent smaller than it could be, according to permit use zoning codes.

“I’m not asking for anything out of the ordinary, I just want to develop the site,” he said. “It’s under what the neighborhood plan asked for.”

But Imes said the proposed changes are not enough. He is still concerned over the intrusiveness of the new building and wants to preserve the historic character and integrity of the site.

Arbor House is the oldest residential house in Madison, dating back to 1853 and the Civil War era. One of the main concerns is that the style and scope of new apartment building would adversely affect the integrity of the neighborhood.

“New buildings should reflect the overall pattern of the street. This project doesn’t do that,” he said. “Let’s do this in a way that’s balanced and thoughtful and sensitive.”

Both sides said they are looking to serve  the best interests of the community, but have different views on how they should be addressed.

Corcoran said he is frustrated to go through the process and still have it reconsidered based on what he believes is “inaccurate information.”

Although he has been a strong opponent to the project, Imes said he is not “anti-development.”

“I’m someone that’s in favor of increased density, but density at what cost?” he said. “We should have appropriate transitions. We should preserve properties like this that have historic value in the community.”

The next step in this debate will come in the Plan Commission meeting on Nov. 10.