East Lyme — The Planning Commission deferred deciding Tuesday whether or not a proposal to increase the number of residential units allowed at Gateway Commons is consistent with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

Commission members said they want to hear a presentation on the development, slated for Thursday, before deliberating on a proposed regulation revision that would allow 400 units at Gateway Commons, rather than the 280 currently allowed.

Developers are slated to present an overview of the history and master plan for Gateway Commons near Interstate 95 to the Zoning Commission on Thursday, said Planning Director Gary Goeschel.

Goeschel said the presentation would not cover the proposed regulation change because the matter would later go to public hearing.

A "pre-application review" is on the agenda for the Zoning Commission's meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall.

The Planning Commission is slated to next meet on Sept. 29 to deliberate on the regulation change and make a referral to the Zoning Commission about whether or not it is consistent with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

The next step in the process would be for the Zoning Commission to hold a public hearing on the proposal for the regulation change.

A specific set of zoning regulations govern the Gateway Planned Development District, a long-planned residential and commercial village.

The development can have no more than 280 apartments and 425,000 square feet of retail.

So far, eight residential buildings totaling 224 units have received their certificates of occupancy from the town, according to Joseph D. Smith, the town's chief building official.

On Tuesday, commission members noted that the developers originally proposed about 400 units for the development, which the town later reduced.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich