Expect New Land's plans for development on Downer Avenue to take another step forward next week when the City Plan Commission holds a public hearing on the zoning of the parking lot on Downer at Belleview Place Monday, April 23 at 1:45 p.m. in the first floor boardroom at 809 N. Broadway.

The agenda for the meeting notes that, "This ordinance approves the site plan and building design for a 4-story parking structure with bank and retail tenant space for property located at 2574-90 N. Downer Avenue."

Ald. Mike D'Amato said that the groundwork for approval is already in place.

"The general parameters for development were established last month with the passage of the General Planned Development," said D'Amato via e-mail. "That means the general size, uses, mass and exit/entrance were already approved. The file now going forward is really to put skin on the bones. We will see the design and materials that they propose to use, which should be far less controversial that the original decision to actually approve a building for the site."

The same agenda includes a resolution that declares the land "surplus to municipal needs and authorizing its sale to New Land Enterprises, LLP, for mixed-use development."

D'Amato believes that while there will be concerns among neighbors, the plan addresses those issues.

"I think the majority of concern from neighbors regarded the east side of the building facing the back of the homes on Summit," he said. "The building code requires that the east wall be solid, without openings, so that should satisfy a number of concerns."