JLB Partners is formally seeking approval for an apartment and retail development in downtown Decatur, despite opposition from neighbors who fear the project is too dense and provides too little parking.

JLB is proposing to build 218 upscale apartment units in the parking lot of a 10-story office building, along with 7,200 square feet of retail on West Ponce de Leon Avenue.

The company met with neighbors earlier to try to address their concerns, but the plans have not substantially changed.

A proposed 425-space parking deck would be shared by office tenants and apartment residents, under the assumption that the structure would be used by office workers during the day and residents at night.

A variance is required because JLB's plans call for fewer parking spaces than is allowed under the city's zoning.

The back of the property borders a neighborhood of single-family homes. Residents are concerned that the shared parking concept won't work, flooding their streets with cars looking for scarce spots.

"We're still questioning a lot of the assumptions [JLB has] put in place," said Gil Rogers, who lives near the proposed development.

Hudson Hooks, manager of JLB's Atlanta office, said the parking plans have been studied carefully.

"We wouldn't be pursing a shared parking concept that didn't work," he said. "From a marketability standpoint, if there's not enough parking, it isn't going to be good for our project."

The proposal is scheduled to be considered by the Decatur Planning Commission on Aug. 7 before going before the Decatur City Commission on Aug. 18.

JLB's request for a parking variance, meanwhile, will be heard by the city's Zoning Review Board on Aug. 11.