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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, December 11, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 26, 2002 Medford residents to pay for special lamps The City Council voted in favor of a $4.50 charge for future homeowners in the southeastern area By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune There’s no such thing as a free lamp. A monthly fee of $4.50 will be charged to home owners who benefit from the new "pedestrian-friendly" street lamps now popping up in southeast Medford. So far, that applies mostly to the future residents of neighborhoods included in Medford’s Southeast Plan, but Public Works director Cory Crebbin said pedestrian-friendly lights are gaining popularity, and he expects to see them in many new subdivisions. "I have heard a lot of interest in (the lamps) from developers," said Crebbin. The Southeast Plan is a 10,000-resident, mixed-use development plan off North Phoenix Road involving five developers and 100 property owners. The first homes, in the Summerfield subdivision, are expected to be under construction this winter, and the 1,000-acre project is expected to take decades to complete. Issues related to the new developments, such as use and maintenance of the specialized lamps, have been coming before the City Council since the spring. The council voted Thursday to amend a city ordinance to create a fee for the special lights. The fee will start at $4.50, and may be adjusted annually. It will be part of the utility fee in the water bill. City Council member Jim Key said he supports the new fee in part because it’s not a citywide rate increase. "Only if they receive the benefit will they be charged the $4.50," said Key, who sits on the Southeast Plan Implementation Advisory Committee. Crebbin said because they new lights are shorter, the light doesn’t cast as far, so there are more of them. To keep an area lit, regular lamps, about 30-feet tall, are installed at 200-foot intervals on one side of the road. The pedestrian-friendly lights, about 12-feet tall, are installed at 80-foot intervals on both sides of the road, he said. Crebbin said some pedestrian-friendly lamps also have been installed downtown, and businesses there may face the same monthly fee. Randy Jones, co-owner of Mahar Homes which is developing the Summerfield subdivision, said he’s pleased with the council decision. "I think it’s a good value for the neighborhood," he said, noting that the purpose of the lamps is to encourage people to get out and walk more. "Streetlights as a function weren’t what they could be," he said. He said that the function has gotten away from keeping sidewalks well lighted, and that the tall "cobra- head" lights often just light the streets. The shorter lamps also will remain under the canopy of trees, again improving visibility for pedestrians. "It’s more utilitarian," he said. Crebbin said he’s pushing to get rid of the large street lights that are throughout the city. "I think they’re overkill," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S