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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 5, 2004 County snubs Ashland request on Greenway By JoNel Aleccia For the Tidings MEDFORD - Jackson County commissioners agreed unanimously Thursday that zoning law, not intent, must govern discussions about private use of public land in the Bear Creek Greenway District. The commissioners also rejected a request from city of Ashland officials to accept public comment on the decision before making it final. "We have the right when there's confusion to interpret our own laws," Commissioner Sue Kupillas told Ashland City Attorney Mike Franell, who was directed this week by council members to address the commissioners. "There will be plenty of opportunity for the public to weigh in." Franell had argued that the interpretation was a land-use decision that required public input. County legal counsel disagreed. The larger issue was the commissioners' opinion of a zoning oversight concerning public land along the Greenway. Newly released staff reports showed that a 1988 Greenway District zoning designation intended to protect environmentally sensitive land, but was never actually applied to county zoning maps. "I don't think any of us think we should go by anything other than law," said Commissioner Jack Walker, voicing the consensus of the group. Once adopted, the commissioners' interpretation could pave the way for the lease of about 6 acres of public land to developers of the proposed Billings Ranch Golf Course outside Ashland. Their decision accepts that the public land in question is zoned EFU, exclusive farm use, a designation that permits golf course developments with approved conditional use permits. The commissioners did not discuss substance or terms of a proposed lease, although Commissioner Dave Gilmour insisted that the county should receive adequate compensation if the arrangement is approved. They noted that the zoning interpretation simply sets the stage for consideration of a conditional use permit for the project. That process will require analysis of the property's designation as a protected "natural area" in the 1988 plan. Commissioners noted that the conditional use process is certain to engender lively public discussion and debate about the merits of the proposed $10 million, 18-hole championship golf course. 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 Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams