The public hearing on the Marischal Square plans, if agreed by councillors next week, would be the first in the city since November 2011.
On that occasion, there was a sufficient level of objection to the redevelopment of council-owned land at Hazlehead as a recycling centre to warrant a detailed examination of the proposals.
Local authority officials have already earmarked August 29 as a suitable date for the hearing on the revamp plans for the former St Nicholas House site.
Objectors, as well as backers of the application, would have the chance to put their case to the council’s planning development management sub-committee.
After the one-day event, a new report would be prepared for the next committee meeting, currently scheduled for September 25.
However, no changes would be made to the planning application itself between the hearing and the next committee meeting.
Submissions made at the hearing could help sway committee members to vote one way or another on the application, however.
It is possible that the plans could be referred to full council for a final decision, if there were sufficient members of the committee who back such a move.
The next full council meeting is scheduled for October 8.