Communication has improved.

But many questions need to be answered about a redevelopment area near downtown, said Ron Salveson, owner of Knapp Supply and Equipment Co.

Salveson is still waiting for the city to form a group of interested property and business owners to discuss the future of the area. A proposed map, while changed, still has a street running through his property and near his backdoor.

New zoning and design regulations for the Old Yellowstone District, a 150-acre area wedged between downtown and Poplar Street, will be proposed tonight in a public hearing before the Casper City Council.

The initial plan, which was approved by the council in September, had a different map with streets running through several businesses and properties. There was also a clause in the design guidelines that restricted some businesses from expanding.

The area currently houses many auto-related and light industrial businesses. The city envisions a mix of housing, shops and restaurants in the area.

Since the approval of the plan in September, both of those items have changed. The map is different. A possible town square is now planned for a piece of city-owned property instead of over existing businesses. Many of the streets also were rerouted, though some still run through property, such as Salveson's equipment wholesale store.

If the proposed map is approved by the council before the final of three approvals in June, it will become the guideline the city will use as future development moves into the area.

The city also changed some of the design guidelines, allowing existing businesses to expand and also to rebuild in accordance to the guidelines.

Car Care Inc. owner Rob Day said he's pleased with the recent progress from the city, the street that had been planned to run through his business was moved.

"It's headed in a lot better direction than it was there for a while," he said. "I think it will be a good thing in the end, they worked with us a lot more than they did in the past."

Community Development Director April Getchius said a proposal to form an advisory group will come before the council when the other changes are up for their third of three needed approvals

Sound and Cellular Inc. owner John Huff isn't sure what the future holds for the Old Yellowstone District. He owns three buildings on Yellowstone Highway - Sound and Cellular, the old Yellowstone Hotel and the former Tripeny Motors Building. He is renovating both of the older buildings and hopes they fit the city's image of the area.

Once the design guidelines are zoning regulations are approved, he doesn't think anyone will know what is happening.

It will be "behind the scenes stuff" that happens if and when the council passes the changes. After the zoning is approved, the rest of the work will be private deals among developers and the city, he said.

"I'm just gonna keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "I won't ask questions about what they are doing. I am going to do my own thing."

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

To attend

The Casper City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. tonight in City Hall, 200 N. David St.

Other council items

* There will be a public hearing for changes in the municipal code, including reducing the distance a house sits from a street from 25 feet to 15 feet.

* There will be a public hearing to discuss giving one of the three remaining bar and grill liquor licenses to the new On the Border Mexican restaurant near the east side Walgreens.

* There will be the final vote on the sidewalk and sewer reconstruction project in the Fort Casper area.

* The council will vote on two, two-story apartment buildings with 44-units on East Eighth and South Nebraska streets.