A major mixed-use development proposed for the parking lot next to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station in North Bethesda just took a big step forward.

Metro's board of directors Thursday authorized developer Fivesquares Development to begin planning and design of a mixed-use project on the site, Bethesda Magazine reports.

The development still must be approved by the Montgomery County Planning Department, which is working on a master plan to determine how much density to allow in the area.

Fivesquares principal Ron Kaplan introduced the proposal to the planning department last summer. He has to wait until the master plan is finalized to create a detailed plan, but he expects the project will be four to six residential buildings with neighborhood-serving retail around a central square.

“The vision we have is trying to create a sense of community where people can interact and get their basic needs,” Kaplan said.

With the agreement, Metro also lifted its ban on selling food and drinks near Metro stations, allowing Kaplan to experiment with pop-up retail stands on the site while it plans the development.