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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 7, 2005 Trucking company clears big hurdle By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A proposed large-scale development in northeast Medford cleared a major hurdle Wednesday when Jackson County commissioners approved a trucking company’s Measure 37 claim. R.B. Browns Trucking Co. now has the potential to develop 140 acres on Crater Lake Avenue near Vilas Road that could become part of the proposed 400-acre housing and commercial development. Owner R.B. Browns said he has been trying for years to expand his facility, saying his business has been severely limited. "I can’t believe how many years I’ve been shot down on this," he said. Browns said the property, which he has owned since 1960, was rezoned exclusive farm use in the 1990s. The property faces other hurdles before it can be developed, such as wetlands issues and current health and safety regulations. Overwhelmingly approved by voters in November, Measure 37 gives property owners the right to ask a government agency to either pay for lost property value because of zoning changes or provide a waiver of the offending land-use regulation. Advertisement The trucking company is located on 12 acres and Browns said he couldn’t expand his operation because of zoning restrictions on the exclusive farm use property. "I don’t have anywhere left to go," he said. Browns plans to expand the business to 30 acres and add another 275 trucks onto his current fleet of 100 trucks. He hopes to sell off property along Crater Lake Avenue for a commercial development. Commissioner C.W. Smith said the property was only given an EFU designation because of a "quirk in the zoning process." Browns’ agent, Cal Martin, said approval of the claim will give more credibility to the proposed development in northeast Medford that is just outside the city limits. "This is a huge step," he said. Browns owns one of three parcels in the development that would include 1,350 houses and condominiums, parks, a bike path and an elementary school. Martin said he still must persuade the city to annex the land into its boundaries, saying that this development would provide the affordable housing sorely needed in the area. The trucking company would add 300 new jobs in the county, he said. Browns said his own business plans aren’t necessarily dependent on the northeast plan’s approval. "I have to do this irregardless of whether this goes in or not," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Trucking company clears big hurdle ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers dvd-r helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Home Equity Loans Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Canadian Pharmacy Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Air Purifiers Advertisement s