The Planning Commission on Monday recommended approval for a $100 million build-out of the Waterside development near Hamilton Place Mall.
The Regional Planning Agency staff had recommended 11 restrictions. However, the panel went along with the list of restrictions submitted by developer Ken Defoor and Branch Development of Atlanta.
The RPA staff recommended that at least 13 acres of the 62-acre site be residential with at least 300 housing units. The developer wanted four acres of residential with at least 100 units.
Waterside started out as a mixed-unit. live/work development, but the latest version moves much more toward commercial.
Officials said there will be some traffic improvements, including a new traffic light at Preston Circle and a new light or traffic circle at Min Tom Road - both off Gunbarrel Road.
A second left-turning lane would be required off Shallowford Road into Lifestyle Way as the development progresses.
A grocery store as well as a seven-story hotel are planned at the site. An Embassy Suites went in earlier.
Some 500,000 square feet of new retail space is also planned.
Robin Sarine of Preston Circle said additional traffic lights may make it even harder to negotiate the nearby streets.
She also said the plan presented at the meeting was different than the one talked about in three community meetings.
The final decision will be by the City Council.
Councilman Larry Grohn indicated his support for the development.