Councilwoman’s Poll: Open Space Preferred

College Park East residents prefer open space to any type of development in their area, according to a survey by City Councilwoman Patty Campbell.

She sent the questionnaires to every household in College Park East last month and has gotten a 20% response.

According to the results, 57% preferred the area in the northern section of the city stay or become open space, while 26% favored a residential development.

Only 8% of the respondents chose a commercial development, while 9% favored a mixed-use development.

The Bixby Ranch Co., which owns property in the area and has attempted for years to work out a development agreement, is negotiating to sell about 23 acres to Marriott Corp. for a senior residential facility. The property includes a tennis club.

Campbell’s survey indicates that 54% of the residents favor open space to any development on the site Bixby could sell to Marriott, while another 38% prefer keeping it as a tennis club.

The questionnaire also asked residents their biggest concerns in College Park East. Of the 373 households responding, 21% said overdeveloping the area is their primary concern, while 20% chose quality of life. Traffic congestion was the biggest concern to another 16%, while public safety was listed by 11%.

Campbell presented the results of her survey during Monday night’s council meeting.