GLENWOOD SPRINGS – A major development permit for the shopping center at Glenwood Meadows was recommended for approval Tuesday night by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission also approved 11 special use permits and variances for the development, which is slated to include a Target department store and a Lowe’s home improvement store. Meadows developers must still win approval from the City Council for the major development permit.The biggest sticking point during the two-and-a-half-hour planning commission discussion was whether the city would compel commercial developer Miller-Weingarten to build two-story buildings along its proposed Market Street.Commissioners were split on whether to force the developer to include second-story apartments or office spaces above retail spaces along the project’s main street. The original annexation agreement required second story space on Market Street. But since Miller-Weingarten took over and designed the commercial part of the project, its executives determined that a lack of parking and the cost of elevators would make second story space unfeasible. “I strongly favor, still, apartments on the second floor,” Commissioner Dave Johnson said. “I would even be willing to consider giving a parking variance to make it possible.”Commissioner Joan Baldwin argued against forcing the developer to build the second floor space. “After looking at this, it could be a good compromise,” she said. Miller Weingarten president Skip Miller offered to give some of the buildings the appearance of two stories, but with just one floor of usable space. After much discussion, the commission accepted Miller’s compromise.Commission members also debated in past meetings whether to hold Miller to the annexation condition requiring a “wrap” at the Lowe’s store. But Tuesday, the commission accepted the developer’s offer that a garden center at the store – which visually looks like a wrap – would suffice. Robert Macgregor, the developer overseeing Glenwood Meadows as a whole, said he was pleased with the commission’s decision. “I’m very excited about the widespread consensus,” he said. “Many hours of work has gone into it and I think that paid off tonight.”Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Larry Hon expressed his views on the great looks of the shopping center. “I think we have the potential to have one of the finest-looking marketplaces in the country,” he said. Contact Greg Mass: 945-8515, ext. 511gmasse@postindependent.com