ST. GEORGE — A sneak peek at preliminary results from three Vision Dixie surveys shows a strong preference for orderly, inward growth in Washington County cities.

"There were a number of ideas that resonated loud and clear," said Ted Knowlton of Envision Utah, a main sponsor of Vision Dixie. "People don't really want scattered development. They love the idea of mixed-use development and want to protect the unique geology of this area."

Over the past few weeks, 515 residents attended one of nine public dialogue meetings held throughout the county; 834 people responded to an online questionnaire; and Dan Jones and Associates surveyed 383 Washington County residents.

The Vision Dixie schedule of events includes reporting a summary of the survey results at a St. George Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday and a Mayor's Summit, tentatively scheduled for July 31 in St. George. An in-depth analysis of the survey results is not yet available, Knowlton said.

Questions posed to Washington County residents centered on four possible growth scenarios revolving around a future population of 240,000 residents.

Scenario A showed growth expanding outside of current city limits in a low-density fashion. Scenario B was used as a baseline or current snapshot of the county as a whole. Scenario C showed growth centered on mixed-use centers and villages with more public transportation options. Scenario D emphasized downtown centers, a consolidation of development and a light-rail system.

The majority of those responding to the three surveys show a clear preference toward preserving Dixie's famous red rock vistas; to protecting more open-space areas for recreation and conservation; avoiding scattered development and building walkable communities; and developing more options for public transportation, including more bike trails and bus lines.

St. George Mayor Dan McArthur said his city is already successfully using many of those ideas.

"I think we're pretty well already doing what the public wants. That's what I told them (Vision Dixie organizers) up front," said McArthur, who added he has not seen the final analysis and is withholding his judgment of the outcome.

Marc Mortensen, who sits on the Vision Dixie steering committee, said he also noticed few surprises during the Vision Dixie process.

"It's really a confirming process. We've been talking about new urbanism and higher densities for a while," said Mortensen, who also serves as the assistant to St. George City Manager Gary Esplin. "While we are already doing some of those things, we know we have a long way to go."

Washington County Commissioner Jim Eardley said the Vision Dixie process has enabled hundreds of citizens and elected and appointed leaders from throughout the county to discuss the area's future in an honest, open fashion.