PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh's city planning commission gave the go-ahead Monday night to two projects that will literally change the face of the city.

The design for the North Shore Casino and its controversial parking garage, which has been criticized for being too tall, will go ahead.

The commission also approved a master plan for the new Penguins hockey arena in the Lower Hill District, despite objections from Hill District residents.

Bargaining sessions between city, county and Hill District neighborhood leaders continued Monday, but a community benefits agreement for the neighborhood was not finalized.

Neighbors complained that developers made a mistake by consulting with the politicians but not with the residents before the arena plan was approved.

Government leaders have said they will try to lure a grocery store into the area and pledged to help fund a neighborhood plan, resource center and a YMCA. The Penguins have pledged $2 million toward a grocery store.

Although the commission approved the arena's master plan, the Penguins still must comply with 14 requirements before returning to the commission for a final approval.

One Hill Coalition, a nonprofit group of activists, residents and business owners, said it wants a community benefits agreement for development of the surrounding neighborhoods near Pittsburgh's new arena, which will be built in the Lower Hill.

"We do not have an agreement, but we're working very hard to get one," said Carl Redwood of One Hill. "It's taking us many hours over the last few days. We anticipate many hours over the next few days to really try to hammer out the details."

An agreement announced last week was quickly denounced by One Hill, which claimed the deal included no commitment by the city to follow through on its promises. The group set fire to the paperwork, and negotiations resumed.

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