In its third meeting to consider developer Thomas Roszak’s proposed Sierra condominium development, the Evanston Plan Commission on Wednesday recommended Evanston City Council approve the project — on two conditions.

After discussing the size and appearance of the 348-unit, six-building complex, which would be built at 1100 Clark St., the commission voted 7-2 to recommend approval but stated the plan will have to undergo “substantial upgrade(s) to the materials” used for construction. This includes better brick and limestone facing instead of coated concrete.

Roszak also would have to provide assurances that landscaping would be produced as presented and that in the case of a long pause in construction, the remainder of the site would be covered with grass.

“I think they’re right-on on a lot of it,” Evanston resident Joyce Elias said of the commission’s recommendations. “Last time I just thought it was going to go free and clear.”

Elias, of 1210 Sherman Ave., filed a lawsuit against Roszak after claiming that construction for another of his projects damaged her home. She noted that the commission did not address possible damage to structures near the new site.

Roszak said he appreciated the commission’s input and that the complex will be better for it.

“I think it was improved, actually,” he said.

But some residents in attendance were not so happy with the commission’s decision.

“I think it is a case history in greed,” said Evanston resident Don Gold. “How much money can you extract from a plot of land?”

Gold said Roszak chose profits over the interests of people.

“He personifies mediocrity in architecture, as far as I’m concerned,” Gold said.

Before the commission settled on the recommendation it made, Roszak withdrew his original request for a zoning change. The project still will require a zoning exemption from City Council.

Members of the commission also considered recommending that Roszak fit into the current zoning by reducing the complex to 287 units, possibility Roszak opposed.

“We’ve been working on this since last April,” Roszak said. “If there’s fewer units, there’s less of everything else.”

Commission members redirected discussion to the quality of the materials to be used.

“We do want you to make money on this project,” commission chairman Lawrence Widmayer told Roszak. “This is going to be a statement of Evanston. … We really want to express the statement that we are a quality community and that this is a quality project.”