thriving center for future growth. DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH: BUSINESS EXPANSION & OPPORTUNITY Eagle Point is embracing strategic growth, expanding its business landscape while maintaining its smalltown feel.Historicallyknown as a bedroom community, the town has seen a gradual transformation as the west side business district emerges as a hub for light industrial and commercial development. “Eagle Point has a lot of great neighborhoods with a variety of housing types and prices, with walkable access to parks, trails, the downtown, and world class golf, along with medical providers, senior care, and a variety of other neighborhood-serving facilities,” says Upston.“What Eagle Point doesn’t have is business parks or many light industrial uses.” To address this, the city rezoned a portion of land on the west side of the highway opposite the main area of town from large-lot, rural residential to more urban-oriented business park and light industrial, with a long-term vision of diversifying the local economy. This careful planning has led to gradual but steady growth in the west side business district. “We are seeing the few homes that were out there being replaced by regional-serving retail, banks, food service, and light industrial uses like storage facilities,” Upston notes.“The local trash and recycling operator recently purchased land in that area with plans to relocate from its current site further away.” “That’s the beauty of zoning,” Upston explains. “Conveniently for Eagle Point, we are able to really separate those areas. The west side of Highway 62 is completely separate physically from the rest of town.” This strategic separation ensures that the commercial and industrial growth remains distinct from Eagle Point’s quiet neighborhoods and scenic downtown, preserving the town’s charm and community feel. Eagle Point remains committed to fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages sustainable economic growth. 178 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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