The proposed Oread Inn at 12th and Oread Dr. will forever alter the Lawrence and Kansas University skyline.

Mount Oread is closer to having a new landmark.

The city’s planning staff has recommended approval of plans to build a seven-story hotel and condo project near the corner of 12th and Indiana streets.

“It is really an incredibly interesting project,” said Sandra Day, the city planner who led the review process. “The developers have really done their homework in terms of garnering grass-roots support.”

But the project – which also includes a restaurant, meeting rooms and about 4,000 square feet of retail space – is far from a done deal. Now, the city’s planning commission must decide whether The Oread Inn is a good fit with the neighborhood.

The planning commission has scheduled a hearing on the project at its 6:30 p.m. meeting on Monday at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

Members of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance have objected to the height of the building, saying it would overshadow the historic buildings in the neighborhood. The Kansas Preservation Alliance also echoed those concerns.

“You don’t want the design of a new building to overwhelm the historic structures, and we’re afraid that is what would happen here,” said Dennis Brown, president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance.

Brown, though, said the alliance supports the idea of a hotel for the area. But alliance members believe the hotel building – which is slated to be 95 feet tall – should be five stories instead of seven.

Attempts to reach representatives of the development team, which is led by executives of the Gene Fritzel Construction Co., were unsuccessful Friday. But they previously have said reducing the size of the building would hinder profitability.

At seven stories, the building would be among the taller in town. Day said the city’s new development code does not put a strict height limit on such multi-use buildings. She also said the design of the building, which features about 15,000 square feet of outdoor terraces, will help the building fit into the neighborhood.

The project – even at seven stories tall – generally has been supported by members of the adjacent Oread Neighborhood Association. Neighbors have said they believe the project is a better use for the corner than the current mix of businesses, which includes The Crossing, a college bar.

Ultimately, city commissioners will make the final decision on the project, likely no earlier than mid-November.