A member of the city planning commission left a pivotal meeting on the new arena Monday night to attend a Pitt Panthers basketball game, only to be shooed back and provided with a ride by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

Developer Todd Reidbord's decision to leave an emotional public comment session on the arena master plan, and instead attend the University of Pittsburgh-Georgetown University game, upset some of those who spoke at the meeting.

"I feel like, constantly, people in the community are being ignored and disregarded," said Maryellen Hayden, head organizer at the local chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. "I'm tired of it."

Yesterday Mr. Ravenstahl said that early in the game he saw Mr. Reidbord, who had a seat close to the mayor's courtside post. The mayor learned from him that the commission hadn't yet voted on the arena plan.

"I talked to Todd, and I told him it was in his best interests to get back for the vote," said Mr. Ravenstahl.

A member of the mayor's security detail then drove Mr. Reidbord from Oakland's Petersen Events Center to the commission's Ross Street offices, Downtown, where he voted in favor of the arena master plan.

"I thought it was important that he get back, and thought that was an appropriate way to get him back to the vote," Mr. Ravenstahl said.

After the vote, Mr. Reidbord returned to the game, but not courtesy of the security detail, the mayor said.

Mr. Reidbord, an appointee of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor, could not be reached for comment on his whereabouts during that part of the seven-hour meeting, which wrapped up after the arena vote shortly before 8:30 p.m.

The meeting was contentious because the One Hill Community Benefits Agreement Coalition is seeking a guarantee of neighborhood benefits attached to the $290 million arena. The building will be largely funded with gambling earnings and taxes, and the coalition has argued that the host neighborhood should get development funds, help luring a grocery store and job opportunities.

Ms. Hayden was one of many people who were told they would not be allowed to speak at the meeting, and then argued vociferously for a chance to be heard.

At one point before he left, Mr. Reidbord tried to silence audience members, saying: "We cannot have people shouting out from the audience."

The commission eventually relented and let everyone speak. Its vote to approve the plan was 5-3, meaning that if Mr. Reidbord had voted against the plan, it would have failed.

Carl Redwood, leader of One Hill, said that for some commission members, "decisions were made prior to the meeting. [Mr. Reidbord] knew what the decision was."

"I do believe that we changed a couple of minds," said Ms. Hayden. "We don't think, if they hadn't listened at all to the people, that the vote would have been as close, and we're proud of those planning commission members who listened."

Commission member Barbara Ernsberger said listening to testimony helped her think through the parking and transportation issues, leading to her vote against the master plan.