Results of a survey given to city officials and Eastown property owners show a general consensus among both sides as to what should be allowed in that section of the city.

Thirty city officials and 19 property owners filled out the seven-question survey in February, answering questions about the types of uses and services that should be found in the area

Both sets of survey results indicate a majority want the area to be a commercial mixed-use zone, though city officials are more interested in the area housing big box retail stores.

Neither group envision any industrial uses in the area, despite the original intentions of the area to become a light industrial zone.

Both groups also want Eastown to become a separate area of the city, distinguishable from the Downtown and Midtown sections farther west on state Route 410.

“Very few view Eastown as an extension of Midtown,” City Administrator Don Morrison said of the results. “People want to see it as a distinctly unique commercial zone.”

The largest disagreement between the city officials and property owners was over the degree of design and development standards to be placed on the land, with city officials wanting more control than property owners want to allow.

One of the larger discussions revolved around the placement of parking lots in the Eastown. Present standards call for the area to be a pedestrian-friendly environment with retail shops placed close to sidewalks and parking lots hidden from view.

Owners and developers, however, balk at that idea, preferring to allow businesses to develop the property as they see fit.

The key word to many was “flexibility” in allowing retail developers to do what is best for their project.

Most involved, however, agreed that Eastown may not need to be as pedestrian-friendly as originally envisioned.

“I don’t see Eastown being a walkable community,” Councilmember Jim Rackley said.

Most of the council agreed, though they did not want to back away from sidewalk standards that could link one end of the city with another.

The planning and design commissions will work this year to develop a new set of standards for the Eastown Subarea plan with the goal of adopting it by the end of the year.

For more information visit www.citybonneylake.org.