DUBLIN — It was a first for the Planning Commission.

Commissioners gave their thoughts Tuesday on plans for a new shopping center they have yet to see any designs for.

Representatives of Blake Hunt Ventures, which wants to build a 305,000square-foot "lifestyle center" of retail stores, space for service providers and restaurants, wanted to hear commissioners' thoughts about their 27-acre site on Hacienda Drive near Interstate 580.

The developer originally planned for approximately 10 stores and three restaurants in a 140,155-square-foot shopping center that was supposed to complement the Ikea store next door. Its open-air market design was approved in March 2006.

In late 2006, Ikea decided against locating in Dublin after company research concluded its stores in Emeryville and East Palo Alto were meeting regional demand. Ikea sold its land to Blake Hunt.

Now the developer is hoping for a bigger, better center.

"I am here to purely listen," Jim Wright, senior vice president of Blake Hunt Ventures, told commissioners at Tuesday's meeting.

The commissioners had plenty to say. They praised or critiqued centers in Berkeley, Emeryville and Corte Madera they visited during a field trip Feb. 12 with city staff and representatives from Blake Hunt to see different styles of architecture, retailers and parking configurations. None of the centers were developed by Blake Hunt.

They talked about building design, parking and whether to allow cars through the center, and smaller details as such the types of outdoor seating, store signage and whether flower shops and fruit stands should have outdoor displays.

Commissioners agreed what they want to see is a pedestrian-friendly center with different building components: mixing one-story and two-story structures and eclectic outdoor seating.

"Variety makes it interesting," said Commissioner Greg Tomlinson. "That's the trick."

Commissioner Morgan King said he did not like the Bay Street shopping center in Emeryille and would never shop there because it seemed the mixed-use development was only a "mixture of women's clothing" stores.

Commission Chairman Bill Schaub said he looked forward to the project as long as it does not resemble the shopping center cross from the project site, Hacienda Crossings.

"Hacienda Crossings is an example of how not to do things. ... It doesn't lend itself to shopping at all," Schaub said.

Wright, of Danville-based Blake Hunt, said Wednesday the forum also was a first for his company, with them seeking feedback after a field trip. He also said these study sessions help speed up the approval process.

"Any time we can get comments early on in the process, it only helps the project," he said.

Mayor Janet Lockhart and community development director Jeri Ram attended the meeting, sitting in the audience. Lockhart said she was glad to see the discussion between the developer and the commission start early.

"It sent a great message to me that they are working together," Lockhart said.