The city planning commission had its hands full with major development projects yesterday, giving the go-ahead for the proposed East Liberty Target store, while wrestling with public access issues related to the $800 million North Shore casino.

It also got its first glimpse of plans for the hotel to be built adjacent to the new arena.

In a unanimous vote, commission members approved a final land development plan for the Target store, to be built on a five-acre site that borders Penn Avenue, Penn Circle South and Broad Street.

Not only would the new store be one of the few in the country with two levels, it would be the only one with windows in sections of the sales floor, a design feature Target added to accommodate city officials.

Target officials hope to open the store by fall 2010. Site work, including the demolition of a vacant high-rise apartment building, is expected to begin almost immediately.

Ronald C. Bailey, Target senior development manager, said the commission's approval was a "big milestone," but added there were still hurdles to clear, including the need for city variances, before the project can become a reality.

East Liberty officials see the store as the anchor for a burgeoning commercial corridor that includes a Whole Foods Market, Home Depot, Borders bookstore and plans for three hotels.

"I think this is a great project," said commission member Todd Reidbord, whose Walnut Capital Management firm is redeveloping the old Nabisco plant in nearby Larimer. "This is really going to be a continued catalyst for the neighborhood."

Not everyone was happy, though. Robert Tortorete, owner of the Station Street Hot Dog and Sandwich Shop on Broad Street, said he feared the store would block the visibility of his establishment and hinder business. He was skeptical of claims that Target would increase traffic around his shop.

"I have to wait and see. That don't feel good. My life's invested there. I just can't afford to have any potential problems," he said.

Visibility won't be an issue for the casino, being built on the Ohio River just west of Carnegie Science Center.

But public access to a riverfront promenade and an amphitheater could be an issue unless the proper agreements are in place, Riverlife Task Force officials argued during a public hearing.

They urged the commission to get formal easements so the public would be guaranteed access to the promenade, which will serve as a link in the North Shore trail network, and the amphitheater, which would be built on the riverfront. The casino has pledged to open both to the public.

It and casino officials are expected to meet later this week to try to iron out an accord.

Meanwhile, the new arena hotel is expected to feature 142 rooms, all suites, six conference rooms, and an executive board room. Developer Horizon Properties Group LLC hopes to reach a deal with a hotel operator by the end of the week.

The hotel, on Centre Avenue, Uptown, will range from seven to eight stories. Like the arena, it is expected to open before the start of the 2010-11 hockey season. There will be 143 parking spaces reserved for hotel patrons at an adjacent garage.