The Roswell City Council has approved the outlines of future redevelopment of the Roswell Plaza shopping center, home of the long-closed Southern Skillet restaurant.

The Council recently voted 4-3 to approve a conditional use for the property, calling for multi-family housing not to exceed 30 units per acre; a height of up to 5½ stories, and a site plan with the number of units to be approved by the mayor and Council. The project process must follow a memorandum outline dated Aug. 8 of the Downtown Development Authority.

Southern Skillet, anchor of Roswell Plaza, closed in January 2011 after 30 years in the city. Roswell paid $4.85 million to purchase the shopping center at 1023 Alpharetta St. last Dec. 17, and the Development Authority then leased it.

The authority is working on a Request for Qualifications to identify potential development teams; selected candidates will receive a request for proposals.