After more than two hours of testimony from protesting Hill District residents this afternoon, the city Planning Commission decided to continue a hearing until next month on the proposed $290 million master plan for a replacement for Mellon Arena.

About 50 members of One Hill Coalition and other neighborhood groups repeatedly asked the commission to hold action on the master plan until the Pittsburgh Penguins and the neighborhood reach agreement on a community benefits agreement. The agreement would include promises of community development projects and other actions the hockey team would take to help the neighborhood.

Rather than cut off testimony, the commission continued the hearing until its Jan. 14 meeting.

The Penguins say they are working with residents on a benefits agreement. Even without an agreement, they have promised to help develop a grocery store, involve residents in the construction of the arena and redevelop the current site of Mellon Arena.

First Published: December 11, 2007, 10:45 p.m.