Ruth didn't have residential and commercial zoning; it was too small.

"Too much commercial zoning brings down the neighborhood," she said.

The commission's 18-month study used community input to come up with a combination of residential, mixed use, and commercial zoning.

It is meant to protect the district's historic character within the context of Medina's commercial zoning.

Still, there is little commercial zoning, and buildings can't go over three stories.

The south end contains significantly more commercial zoning, which generally decreases north of the bridge.

Many parks have been established to preserve the desert landscape in areas that would otherwise quickly be developed with commercial and residential zoning.

But the conference center requires a change to commercial zoning.

Ms. Elrod noted that, despite the commercial zoning, city rules would allow something besides an office building on the site - an apartment house.

Before residential and commercial zoning, the messy variety of life was everywhere.