The planning commission gave its blessing to the downtown plan and sent it to the city council after considering recommendations from the city staff, the Downtown Stakeholders (a committee made up primarily of citizens and business owners) and the public.

Blocks of the original plan that was adopted in 1993 didn't require changes, and the commission adopted those sections unanimously. Commissioner Otto Lee was not present at the meeting.

But for sections of the plan that did need to be changed—the Town Center Mall area and Town and Country Village—there were some concerns.

Last month, the Downtown Stakeholders committee met and decided to recommend that the planning commission lower some of the proposed heights due to concern expressed by the public and the Friends of Sunnyvale, a community organization that has protested the proposed high-density buildings in the city's downtown plan.

The planning commission approved a limit of 75 feet for residential buildings with ground floor retail at Town and Country Village. "Having residents close to Caltrain and the multi-modal station will reduce traffic," said Commissioner Dean Chu.

But commissioner David Simons dissented. "High-density housing is warranted here because of the close public transportation," Simons said. Height is only appropriate where it can be supported by public transportation, Simons said.

The Town Center Mall was another area of disagreement. Ron Pfohl, a principal of the Forum Group, who is currently planning to buy the mall by July 31, asked the planning commission to reconsider the proposed limits on building heights of 60 feet. "The majority of our project will be 60 feet, which is four stories and lower," Pfohl said. But some of the Forum Group's plans for the property include buildings of 75 feet, as well as a movie theater complex at 80 feet.

The company's plans call for multiuse buildings with retail stores and 300 residential units.

Commissioner Ron Swegles said that additional residents at that site might overburden local public schools.

The commission approved heights of 75 feet for 25 percent of the mall property, and 60 feet for the rest of the mall property. They did not approve the 80 feet requested for the proposed movie theater.

The final downtown plan will be adopted at the redevelopment authority and city council meeting on June 17 at 6:30 p.m. At the same meeting the council will consider the final 2003­04 city budget. To contact the city council, call 408.730.7470 or email council@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.