A rendering provided by the city of Lawrence of what a recreation center northwest of town might look like.

A proposal to build a major recreation complex at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway has cleared another hurdle.

Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioners at their Monday meeting recommended approval of a request to rezone the property to a heavier commercial zoning category, which is a requirement for a new recreation complex.

The rezoning issue now will go to the Lawrence City Commission in the next couple of weeks for final consideration.

Monday’s vote by the Planning Commission involved creating a new commercial zoning designation to accommodate the proposed public-private recreation complex. The designation calls for the entire intersection of Sixth Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway to become a CC 600 commercial center. The designation would allow a total of 600,000 square feet of commercial space to be built at the intersection. Under the current zoning, only 400,000 square feet of commercial space can be built at the intersection.

Specific plans for the proposed recreation complex haven’t yet been submitted, but concept plans have included a 180,000-square-foot center to house multiple gyms and other amenities. The complex also would include an outdoor track and field complex that could possibly host the Kansas Relays.

The city will host a public meeting on the project at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at Free State High School.