Harbour View Town Center, a multi-million dollar mixed use development planned for northern Suffolk, moved one step closer to reality on Tuesday.

The Suffolk Planning Commission unanimously approved adding a mixed use development ordinance to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. The proposal will go before the Suffolk City Council for consideration on Sept. 19.

A mixed use development is a pedestrian-friendly community that marries residential and commercial development, including offices, retail outlets and medical facilities, said Robert T. Williams, executive vice president of the Jorman Group. He is also the development consultant for Landonomics, the company planning the project.

Over the past month, city planners have met with developers who raised concerns during a July public hearing, said Cindy Taylor, spokeswoman for the Suffolk Planning Department. The amendment before commissioners on Tuesday was revised to address their concerns, she said.

The MUD ordinance needs to be adopted before Landonomics can move ahead with the town center project, Williams said.

The city is also hoping to land a mixed use development on the former Obici Hospital site on North Main Street, said Dennis Craff, spokesman for the city.

In north Suffolk, the town center will be built on 107 acres surrounding the Harbour View Grande, the 16-theatre complex and retail shopping center on Harbour View Boulevard.

Williams has commitments from several retailers, including an upscale gourmet grocery store and large retail store, who want to open in the development. He refused to identify specific businesses until contracts are signed.

&uot;We’re ready to move ahead with the project,&uot; Williams said. &uot;We have people that are waiting to acquire land as soon as a mixed use ordinance is approved and a site plan is filed.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com