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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us September 29, 2005 This isn’t about big business Among the many divisive myths in Ashland lurks a belief that business interests are working to change the city’s small-town charm. This assumption, to be kind, is nothing more than urban legend. Certainly, recent development proposals have attempted to build large-scale projects that are consistent in size with the city’s largest buildings. Yet Ashland has not been threatened by outside corporate interests. Downtown infill projects to date have been the work of local residents, working in conjunction with city officials and public input to create projects that will not only be financially feasible in the face of skyrocketing property costs, but also consistent with the city’s existing buildings and businesses. Those opposed to larger projects (the term large-scale is indeed one of relative comparison; by definition, thanks to Ashland’s height and big-box ordinances, “large-scale” here pales in comparison to many of the large-scale projects planned for Medford) are basking in the victory of thwarting another infill project after the planning commission tossed out the Northlight development on yet another technicality. Of course, the merit of the project itself was never truly considered. Instead, using years of confusion over conflicting codes and ordinances, the opponents effectively created an impassable gantlet for the project to proceed. Two years of planning, design, expense and public meetings hosted by the developers were ineffective in building support. To be sure, those who oppose these projects — to date consistent in opposing all larger-scale projects brought before the commission — are very effective. Their goal is opposition. The problem is they aren’t interested in using that time to support a sustainable economic plan. Vacant lots are apparently preferred to infill projects. Teetering businesses that open and close like a revolving door at Macy’s in December seem more acceptable than economic investments that support those who invest in this city. The misnomer is that if you are pro-business in Ashland, you are pro any type of business. The assumption, or at least the political spin by those who oppose business growth, is that all business owners and developers want the most they can get. But, a delicate balance is needed. Too big could also mean a toppling of the local business community. Too much could mean Old Navy instead of Nimbus or Toys “R” Us instead of Bug-A-Boo. Business owners want a plan. Most are in business here precisely because of its uniqueness. They don’t want large-scale business with uncontrolled growth. They don’t want Ashland to lose the very charm that led them to invest here in the first place. In an honest moment, virtually any business owner in town will tell you that they worry. The bottom line hangs on a tenuous house of unstable economic cards. Most will say they badly need more consistent local business to help weather the winter months. Most want some improvements downtown that will help create more livability and sustainability. Much of this likely starts with some level of development. It surely doesn’t have to be a Bemis or a Northlight, but vacant lots and ridiculous hurdles to any improvement offer no solutions. We supported Northlight not because of its size, but because of what it brought to the city: professional jobs, decent living and creative use of infill design. If another package is more acceptable, let that be known. But turning these benefits away for no other reason than opposition is harmful to the city’s economy. Conversation must move beyond simple opposition for opposition’s sake and toward a compromise of what’s needed to sustain our economy while not going too far to and failing to preserve the town’s historic charm. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Online Pharmacy Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations Hammocks Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams