The city planning commission handed Don Barden another big victory yesterday, approving design plans for his $450 million North Shore casino and a controversial parking garage to be built behind it.

In doing so, the commission turned aside objections from the Riverlife Task Force and others in the local design community who feared the garage could overwhelm the sleek glass and steel riverfront Majestic Star casino and mar views of the city's skyline.

The unanimous approval came after representatives for Mr. Barden, the casino owner, argued that he had made concession after concession in an effort to appease critics and get the project off the ground.

In response to criticism of the garage, which will be nearly twice the height of the casino, Mr. Barden reached a deal with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato to install decorative screening on the south facade, facing the Ohio River, at a cost of $1 million.

The city's Contextual Design Advisory Board had asked for the screening because of concerns about the garage. Mr. Barden, however, had rejected the group's other demand, a call to increase the height of a drum atrium, the casino's centerpiece, to offset the size of the parking structure.

Still, commission member Todd Reidbord said Mr. Barden "did what we asked him to do" in installing the screening and better integrating the 3,800-space garage with the casino.

"I think this is an attractive garage," he said.

Likewise, commission member Paul Dick said he saw no need to hold up the project further, noting that casino revenues were important to the city's financial future.

Still, the battle may not be over for Mr. Barden, who also has fought -- and reached agreements -- with the Steelers and Pirates over the casino's impact on traffic and the Carnegie Science Center over site improvements.

Clifford Levine, an attorney for the Riverlife Task Force, said afterward the agency is considering its options in terms of a possible appeal. It objected to yesterday's hearings on procedural grounds, saying it should have the right to present evidence and witnesses, a position rejected by the commission.

Mr. Levine argued in his presentation that accessory structures, such as garages, are limited to 20 feet in height under city zoning laws without a variance from the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment.

"There are issues as to whether or not there's compliance with the Pittsburgh zoning code. Ultimately, that's the question," he said.

Zoning administrator Susan Tymoczko said, however, that the casino and garage are considered one structure, meaning the parking garage's 119-foot height is in compliance with city requirements.

Randy Zotter, a Mexican War Streets resident, also urged the commission to reject the garage, which he described as a "cement block."

"It's just like a billboard. It's designed to make you look at it," he said.

Ed Fasulo, the casino vice president and general manager, said afterward the commission's approval was "huge" for the casino. He said the parking structure won't be an eyesore.

"I think it's going to be the best-looking garage Pittsburgh has," he said.

Mr. Fasulo said he doesn't believe a possible appeal by Riverlife or another group would halt construction, which began last month. Workers are on a tight schedule to have the casino open by May 1, 2009.