The New Castle Planning Commission recommended approval Wednesday for a carrier annex for the U.S. Postal Service.

The postal service wants to move its annex to the property formerly occupied by Joseph’s Supermarket in the city’s downtown and is requesting a conditional use.

Its current annex is adjacent to the Cascade Galleria on the property formerly occupied by the Sears auto service center.

New Castle postmaster David M. Shaner said the postal service needs 115 parking spaces, which would include 55 for the vehicles and 55 for the drivers’ vehicles.

Postal vehicles will be fenced in, thus creating a more secure area, he said.

“It should be a better facility for us to use,” he said.

Patrons of the Eagles club across South Street will continue to have access to the lot, he said.

The commission recommended there be no chain link fence. Instead, it recommended that if a fence is to be erected that it be a decorative fence.

Shaner added the former supermarket is being renovated. He said he expects the postal service to relocate after the beginning of next year.

The commission recommendation goes to city council for final approval.