After months of delays and numerous neighborhood meetings, Hy-Vee Inc.’s conceptual plan for a new grocery store in the Beaverdale neighborhood was approved by the Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission Thursday night.

The commission voted 10 – 1 to rezone a 6-acre parcel at 4444 Douglas Ave., the location of the new grocery store. The commission also approved the building’s conceptual plan.

Mike Ludwig, administrator of the planning and urban design the city of Des Moines, who presented Hy-Vee revised conceptual plan to the commission, said about 15 percent of property owners within 250 feet of the proposed Hy-Vee objected to the rezoning of the property.

Officials of the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association and Main Street Initiative both requested another delay in the vote to address lingering problems with the south-side of the proposed building and the issues with increased traffic on Douglas and 47th Street.

“I am terribly worried that we have a 30-foot-tall wall straight across from one-story single-family residential houses,” said dissenting commissioner Greg Jones. “I think we’re putting those people in a bind.”

Four members of the public who spoke against the proposal echoed Jones’ concerns.

Hy-Vee has made attempts to lessen the impact of the south-side wall. The conceptual plan submitted to the commission showed landscaping and variations in the brick color on the 30-foot wall facing Euclid Avenue.

Bill Lillis, an attorney representing Hy-Vee, opposed any other sort of delay due to a deadline the company is facing with its contractors. Lillis said the process of communicating with Beaverdale residents will still continue.

Jeff Markey, assistant vice president of engineering construction for Hy-Vee, praised the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association for its communication with Hy-Vee on the building. Markey said he is “very proud” of the plan they have come up with.

The City Council will have its first reading of the conceptual plan at its Nov. 9 meeting.