Bennett, who faces muffler-store manager Jim Lems on today's ballot, received the contribution in October, days before he voted to allow a density increase for Peterson's Stone Creek project near 4800 West and 7800 South.

Some questioned whether Bennett, who generally opposes high-density projects, had been influenced by the donation.

The one-term councilman denied any impropriety, but said in a letter to Peterson he was returning the money to ''avoid the 'appearance of evil' and preserve the good name of your company as well as my own.''

He apologized that the timing of his request for a campaign donation from Peterson, which had an application pending with the city, was "ill-advised."

"I absolutely affirm there was no intent of my ever voting any differently in regards to your projects or any other," Bennett wrote, "whether you donated to my campaign or not."

The councilman said he approved 65 additional units for Stone Creek because it was dedicated to senior housing, which he argued would have minimal impact on traffic congestion and enrollment in area schools.

- Rosemary Winters