A restaurant could be on its way to the vacant Sears Hardware building in the Delaware Community Plaza at U.S. 23 and Hull Drive.

Columbus-based developer U.S. Properties Group is in talks with an unnamed restaurant in hopes of filling a portion of the vacant Sears building as part of a preliminary redevelopment plan for the building and site. The 21,000-square-foot building has been vacant since Sears Hardware closed in the fall.

The preliminary plans and a conditional use permit allowing at least one outdoor dining area received unanimous approval at Wednesday’s Delaware city planning commission. The plan would see the redevelopment of the building into a multi-tenant space.

U.S. Properties Group construction director Jim McNally told planning commissioners Wednesday night that while he cannot disclose the possible tenants, the group is in “good discussions with Restaurant X.” The tenant also requested patio space facing U.S. 23. A second patio space for another restaurant user could be installed at the building’s west side facing the adjacent Hull Drive neighborhood and Best Western Hotel.

“We have no signed leases, but needed some sort of approval to go back to our leasing agents,” said McNally, adding that a larger 15,000-square-foot user could possibly occupy a space between the two restaurants.

Under the plan, the entire front of the building and facade facing U.S. 23 would also receive a face-lift.

Given the economy and the fact that several Delaware city shopping centers remaining vacant, planning commissioners said they are supportive of the plan.

“I hope it works out,” planning commissioner Jim Halter said. “I think it’ll be a nice addition; anything is better than a vacant building.”

Fellow planning commissioner Stacy Simpson agreed adding that he was happy that the developer was moving so quickly on filling the vacant space.

However, planning commissioners were in agreement that adding employee parking behind the building running parallel to Hull Drive would cause screening concerns. The plans call for the addition of 16 employee parking spots behind the building where mounding and green space is currently located.

“By the time you get parking in the back, there’s not a lot of room between it and the street to lessen the impact,” Halter said.

Planning members agreed to add a staff condition to remove the eight proposed parking spaces closest to Hull Drive from the plans. The plan will now move forward to city council for consideration. The commission vote asks as a recommendation.

mmackey@delgazette.com