The Annapolis Historic District Commission last night gave the go-ahead to a new downtown restaurant provided the owner agrees to make a few more design changes.

The commission said Pusser's Restaurant at 80 Compromise St. will have to reduce the number of lights above its sign from five to four, lower flag poles, and eliminate the figure of a finger and hand pointing toward the entrance.

The 2-1 approval means the restaurant should be able to open on time Sept. 19.

Some of the city's ardent historic preservationists had criticized the design of the restaurant, which will be located next to the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront.

The owner was forced to eliminate plans to erect a 19th-century ship's figurehead, lower the central portion of the facade and cover lattice with trumpet vines.

Still, some were critical of the plans.

Commission member Joan Kaplan complained that the design still looked "too temporary," and pointed out to architect Craig Purcell that trumpet vines grow poorly in pots.

She voted against the project.

Jeff Halpern, a representative of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, recommended against the design, calling it a "caricature of a building."

He said the copper-painted metal roof, vinyl windows, lattice, and a canvas enclosure would "delude the character of the historic district."

Stephanie Carroll of the Historic Annapolis Foundation said she didn't think the design would contribute anything to the historic ambience of the downtown, but added, "we do not feel it will do any egregious harm to the city of Annapolis."

The restaurant, which will be located in what is now Juan Alfredo's Virgin Island Waterfront Cafe, will serve 130 inside and about 80 outdoors. The menu will feature English pub food and local cuisine.