A resolution seeking tax exemption for a residential property whose owners had intended to use as a private, family-based home for pregnant mothers, was unanimously denied by the City Council’s ordinance committee Monday night.

Against a backdrop of growing neighborhood concern about the proposal, the ordinance committee had called a special meeting to discuss granting tax-exempt status to the raised ranch-style home at 85 West View Ave., in the Woodridge area.

The property had been purchased recently by Little Flower Home, a Tiverton-based Catholic lay nonprofit charity that provides temporary housing and support services for unhoused pregnant mothers and their children.

Early in the meeting, and facing what appeared to be formidable neighborhood opposition, Little Flower Home withdrew its application, and the council followed promptly with a vote to deny the request.

More than 30 residents filled up council chambers, waiting to be heard on the matter. Although the proposal had been withdrawn and denied, it was clear that members of the public still had questions and wanted to speak.

Councilman Christopher Buonanno made a motion that allowed for discussion.

Resident after resident spoke, passionately voicing opposition to the use of Little Flower Home, citing concerns with safety and lower property value.

Garyleena Barron, who lives down the street from the property, was one of many residents who opposed such a presence in the neighborhood.

“We live in a quiet, secluded neighborhood; we have children,” Barron said. “We live behind an elementary school. You want to put a homeless shelter there? We all know what kind of clientele that brings.”

David Mitchell, who serves as the charity’s board president, was at the meeting Monday night. He said there was a lot of misinformation floating around and explained that the property would follow a residential-type model like a foster home, where they would take in one or two moms.

“My wife and I will be living there, and like I said, it would just be almost as if I had a pregnant daughter come stay with me,” Mitchell said. “It’s simply a residence.”

The house is in a neighborhood off Budlong Road, in an area zoned “A-6” residential. According to the city’s website, A-6 allows for single-family houses.

Little Flower Home had applied to the city, seeking tax-exempt status on the grounds that it is a nonprofit organization.

After the meeting, Council President Jessica Marino noted that while many of the residents’ comments focused on the use of the property, that decision would not have been a matter for the city; it would be for the state.

“The shelters of this nature are regulated by state laws and allowed in these residential communities,” Marino said. “It is not this legislative body that allows or disallows the sale of those properties. We have absolutely no oversight of it.”

Ward 5 Councilman Michael Traficante chastised Little Flower Home for not holding public meetings to inform their intent to residents before requesting tax-exempt status.

“Shame on the applicant,” Traficante said. “Because [in] any situation, dealing with this type of residential request, they should have had the wisdom to meet with the neighbors first.”

State Rep. Jackie Baginski suggested holding a community meeting to address the proposal and neighbors’ concerns, but it is unclear at this point if Little Flower Home will revisit this request for tax exemption or if any further meetings will be held on the matter.