NORWICH -- The development group that proposed the controversial overlay district requested a meeting with neighbors who opposed the plan, but canceled it when the neighbors announced their intent to have an attorney present.

Carpionato-LaBossiere Properties last week contacted Norwichtown area residents who had vehemently opposed the proposal in order to show them plans for the area.

The group, now officially called the Norwich Neighborhoods Coalition, agreed to meet, but with its attorney present.

"We initially agreed to meet as a courtesy, but the developers canceled the meeting after being informed our lawyer would be present," said Marterese Ferrari, president of the group. "Members of our coalition have seen the plans already, as they have been circulating around the city for quite some time. What the plans look like doesn't matter, as putting a strip mall in a residential neighborhood is ridiculous.

"It is absurd that we are even discussing this thinly-veiled spot-zoning ploy as though it were viable," she said.

The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday evening.

The developers withdrew the proposal before the City Council voted on it, given the amount of opposition.

A commercial overlay zone would have allowed developers to propose commercial development on any state highway in the city with approval by the Commission on the City Plan.

Residents maintain it would harm the character of neighborhoods and ultimately hurt the city.

Rob LaBossiere said his organization simply wanted to show protesters renderings of the plans in hopes they would reconsider.

"Some were receptive to sitting down, but a handful insisted on having an attorney present," LaBossiere said. "We didn't want attorneys on either side, but some were adamant. So we called it off."

There will be no more attempts at meetings, he said.