A local developer can replace an old hospital in Maple Leaf with new homes, the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board decided Wednesday night.

The board cleared the way for demolition of Waldo General Hospital, erected in 1924 at 15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 85th Street, by deciding it is not a city landmark. City law required landmark review because of the building's age.

Developer Greg Kappers plans to buy the site from the current owner, Camp Fire USA, and has applied to the city to demolish the hospital and build housing.

Members of the Maple Leaf Community Council, which had supported a landmark designation, said they would now turn their efforts to influencing redevelopment of the site.

"We are not anti-development, we are working towards preserving the significant features of this unique site," council President Janice Camp said in a statement. "This decision makes that harder, but not impossible given the broad support we have in our community."