FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - Mixed-use may be popular in modern economic development; however, that's not the case in Fairview Park, which doesn't allow the creative zoning.

That could be changing soon as Fairview Park City Council and Planning Commission are currently studying an ordinance that with voter approval would permit mixed-use development on Lorain Road.

"We feel like we're harming ourselves when it comes to the business district that we're not more open to allowing these types of ideas," Fairview Park Mayor Eileen Ann Patton said. "This is only for Lorain Road, which right now is zoned general business allowing retail, offices, restaurants or similar uses.

"Like in many cities, zoning codes are kind of old. So we did a lot of research on it and were thinking this might be an ideal time to allow residential living above some of these buildings that we have."

The impetus for the mixed-use discussion took place recently when Patton said a developer was interested in a rather large vacant building at the western end of Lorain Road. They were hoping to put in a music store and studio on the first floor with residential above.

"We lost the sale of the building because that's not permitted," Patton said. "Also, we have one of the last pieces of vacant land across the street from City Hall. Previously, a request came in from a developer asking about mixed-use."

Technically there are grandfathered properties on Lorain Road that allow mixed-use with a house located behind a business. Patton pointed out the current zoning code states once the residential becomes general business the former cannot be retained.

"Mixed-use is a zoning code that kind of welcomes all types of businesses on Lorain Road," Patton said. "We're just trying to stay up with the times. This has a long way to go. We don't take rezoning issues very lightly here. We really do a lot of work on them to make sure because this goes to the vote of the people."

The hope is the mixed-use zoning change ends up on the November ballot. That means City Council must approve the ordinance by August.

"We have a lot of work to do between now and then, and if we feel that we don't have everything we need, we will wait until spring," Patton said. "We just think this is a good thing for our community."