The Planning and Zoning Commission has asked staff to move ahead with a plan to overlay an entertainment district in the downtown area.

A vibrant downtown has been a long-time goal for town leaders and with the plans moving ahead on the Park Place development, staff wants to make the adjustments in the zoning regulations.

The commission asked staff to look at expanding the existing Town Center Commercial District to include the north side of Avenue of the Fountains between La Montana Drive and Saguaro Boulevard. The area would extend north to Palisades Boulevard, encompassing all of the north side of Plat 208.

The town center district allows for such business related activities as outdoor, sidewalk dining, live music and longer business hours.

The TCCD already covers the south side of the Avenue between the Civic Center and Saguaro Boulevard as far south as Paul Nordin Parkway. The zoning also includes the Plaza Fountainside.

Town officials say they would like potential residents in the Park Place residential apartments to be aware of the zoning before they move in. They do not want to make changes that could increase noise after people are living there.

A goal of the revision is also to update noise ordinances to update technology and create noise regulations that are easier to enforce.

Staff will continue working on proposed revisions and being them back to the commission at a later date.