Manhattan Community Board 6 will vote on a package of zoning changes Wednesday night that would facilitate developer SL Green Realty Corp.'s construction of an office tower next to Grand Central Terminal among other neighborhood zoning changes. The three special zoning permits would also allow for new development along Madison and Vanderbilt Avenues between 42nd and 47th streets. Manhattan Community Board 5 is expected to vote on the plan on Thursday.

On Tuesday evening, a task force comprised of both boards voted to recommend a vote against the proposal unless the developer, SL Green, commits to stronger environmental upgrades for the office tower, ensuring it would receive LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum Certification, the highest environmental certification possible. The boards are also asking that the developer move its planned new entrances to public transit.

A task force member who asked not to be identified because the proposals are still in draft form said the panel was also concerned about weak "preservation issues" or standards for existing buildings around the Vanderbilt Corridor.

"We have been working closely with the task force, understand the issues that have been raised and will continue our dialogue with the community as we advance toward approval," Robert Schiffer, managing director of SL Green Realty Corp. said in a statement.

The owner of Grand Central Terminal, Argent Ventures, opposes the changes, which could result in the firm losing millions of dollars in development rights.

"It is time for the City to go back to the drawing board with a proposal that is an integral part of a comprehensive plan, respecting landmark precedents, and rejecting corporate welfare for big developers," said Eric Soufer, spokesman for Argent Ventures.

The community board votes are only recommendations.

The proposals will have to go through the city’s lengthy land use review process, which would include a public hearing on the zoning changes, likely in February.