The Pembroke City Council went against the city’s planning and zoning board’s recommendation Tuesday night and approved the rezoning request of Ray Butler, a local man who plans to build apartment homes on the Strickland Street Extension adjacent to the Northside Cemetery.

Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Randall Butler, brother of Ray Butler, abstained from the discussion of the rezoning and the vote.

The change in the zoning, which brought the 5.82 acre tract of land from B-2 general commercial to R-3 multi-family residential, angered some residents of the area, including Charlie Butler, who is not related to Ray Butler.

"I’m just disappointed in the city," said Charlie Butler after the meeting. "I’ve been living in Pembroke for nearly 18 years. I think everyone (in the area) is a little disappointed, but there’s nothing we can do about it now."

Mayor Judy Cook, who only votes in the case of a tie and did not vote on the issue Tuesday night, said her main concern with the project being approved was the nearby cemetery.

"The concern I had with that particular area was the sanctity of the cemetery," Cook said.

In other business at the meeting:

-The city lifted it’s moratorium on building permits instituted at the April 16 meeting and plans schedule a workshop to discuss hiring a part-time city building inspector.

-Council members approved a vehicle lease agreement.

-The council approved a storm drain right-of-way with the Department of Transportation.

-The council approved two requests from Mercy Housing to rezone tracts of lane on McFadden and Ledford Streets to R-3 multi-family residential housing.