The Farmville Town Council has approved a conditional use permit sought by Mark and Laura French to build nine cottages on 1.052 acres on First Street near North Virginia and North Bridge streets in Farmville.

The property is zoned R-4 residential, according to the town, and such use requires a conditional use permit.

In late April, following a public hearing, the town’s planning commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the permit to the town council. The recommendation for approval came with no conditions.

No one spoke during a council hearing held Wednesday. Like the commission, council approved the permit with no conditions.

Ward E Councilman J.J. “Jamie” Davis abstained from voting on the permit, citing working with the Frenches through his firm, Custom Flooring, in providing an estimate for floor covering in the units “in the case they were built.”

According to the application for the permit, the Frenches want to build the cottages on a vacant lot across the street from the Dr. Erica Geary Memorial Dog Park — one the couple donated the land for in honor of the late veterinarian who worked with Mark, a longtime veterinarian at Ridge Animal Hospital.

Besides the Frenches, two people spoke during the commission’s hearing, citing concerns with parking and space between the buildings.

“These will be available for rent,” Laura said in a previous interview. “They’re intended to be one- or two-person dwellings. So, we’re kind of gearing toward young professionals, people who are just starting out and looking to have their first nice little place,” she said. (It’s) an alternative to apartment housing.”