Pending decision from the city council, DeKalb residents can expect a new grocery store by fall 2005.

The plan commission voted 4-0 to allow Ultra Foods, a Chicago-based grocery chain, to build an 80,000 square foot building on the corner of Annie Glidden Road and Dresser Road.

“The building will be about the size of Wal-Mart’s food section,” principal planner Russell Farnum said.

As part of the plan, the commission considered having other commercial buildings on the 23 acres of land where the grocery store will be located.

“A Mobil gas station and convenience center are also planned as well as other developments that are as of yet unnamed,” Farnum said.

The commission also considered building a bank and restaurants in the area.

Awaiting city council’s approval, Ultra Foods would like to break ground this spring with occupation in the early fall, he said.

“We expect a cluster of development around this intersection,” Farnum said.

He said Schnucks, a St. Louis-based food chain, is also looking to build along Annie Glidden Road.

Beautifying well-developed and more populated areas was also a concern.

“We are not going to spend time on the cornfields,” city planner Ray Keller said. “We are going to spend time on our neighborhoods to keep them alive and vibrant.”

The North 5th Ward, Greek Row, East Lincoln Highway and Pleasant Street can all expect some changes.

Beautification of roads, code enforcement and programs to help fix up houses are all in the plans, Keller said.

“We need smart growth,” DeKalb resident Herb Ruben said. “Keep our old areas new so we do not spread out too much.”

The commission will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.