Douglas County commissioners Wednesday unanimously agreed to changes in the ECO2 plan that seek to balance industrial business park development with preservation of open space.

The ECO2 committee had presented changes to its plan that gave more weight and ranking to potential business-park sites close to four-lane state and federal highways. The committee also included language in its plan that more specifically defines prime agricultural land in the county.

The City Commission in January had approved the changes.

County commissioners Wednesday also unanimously agreed to join the City Commission in sending a letter in support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment asking the Environmental Protection Agency not to include Douglas County in an air-quality zone with the Kansas City metropolitan area.

City and county leaders fear it could have tough economic consequences of higher gasoline prices and stricter air-quality guidelines for new industrial businesses looking at coming to the area.