The three councillors - Cieran Perry, John Lyons and Sophie Nicaullaud - want to stop the increased height and density of the O'Devaney Gardens plan which allows for a total of 1,047 homes.
The city council's law agent gave advice that this motion could not be acted upon as it went against a decision of An Bord Pleanála and would involve a breach of contract.The meeting then voted by 37 to 22 to adjourn the motion pending independent legal advice which will be organised through the Protocol Committee.
The council's Executive Manager for Housing, Dave Dinnigan, said the increase in units was necessary because this part of national planning policy and the application would have been rejected by An Bord Pleanála otherwise.
Need to let the public vote on increased height in the cities. Majority want it.