Commissioners gave their enthusiastic approval to a plan that would create a new hike/bike trail along the abandoned Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad line in eastern Lawrence.

Commissioners did hear some concerns, though, from residents of The Woods, a new housing subdivision west of the 19th Street and Haskell Avenue area. Matthew Tomc, president of the subdivision’s homeowners association, said residents had concerns about stormwater drainage, security issues and the possibility of a small parking lot being located in the area for trail users.

City commissioners promised to gather more information about each of those concerns and involve residents of the subdivision in future planning. But commissioners said they believed the trail would be a benefit to eastern Lawrence area.

Commissioners, though, did not begin the process to downzone several pieces of property in the neighborhood, which was called for by the plan. Commissioners said they wanted to have more conversations with each of the property owners. All of the rezonings would allow the current uses on the property to continue, but would prohibit the properties from being redeveloped into more intense industrial uses.