CLARENCE, N.Y. — Retail shopping is changing, and the town of Clarence wants to change with it. 

The town recently added a new zoning distinction, the Lifestyle Center District, that encourages more open concept developments that could replace traditional shopping malls. 

"Where you save anchor stores and they exist as they are now and you fill in the gaps and the parking lots with more of a residential community,” said Patrick Casilio, Clarence town supervisor.

Casilio says up to 5,000 people could end up living in a development like this, but the concept is more than just a place to live. 

"Anything from retail, office, public services, community facilities, office space, flex space. It really is a city or village within itself," said Jonathan Bleuer, assistant director of community development.

One property the town has its eye on is the Eastern Hills Mall.

"We have examples of malls that have been almost abandoned. And we want to protect that address so it doesn't become a flea market. We want new development with new buildings that will help the town's tax base and the Clarence School District," said Casilio.

The town has been in conversation with Mountain Development Corp, the New Jersey-based company that owns the mall, and officials say they support the lifestyle center concept, but it's just one of a couple of options being researched, and any major changes to the mall won't happen overnight. 

"The planning, zoning, phasing, financing, all the key components have to come together over a period of at least a year if not more to get this thing rolling," said Chuck Breidenbach, Mountain Development Corp. managing director.  

But by changing the zoning now, the town is making sure when a redevelopment plan is ready, officials can give the green light. 

"Town of Clarence is ahead of the program. We're rezoning the property now which could make it four times more valuable than it sits at this time so that the owner can either move on their own or with partners to redevelop the property or market it for sale with the future of it being a living center,” said Casilio.