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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 8, 2006 Council to discuss UGB expansion By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Local developer Laz Ayala says if the city is going to start bringing rural properties into the urban growth boundary now, he wants his on the list to be considered. "I just want to be included," said Ayala, who has four parcels totalling 166 acres that he's asked be brought into Medford's UGB. One of the parcels is 18 acres on Garfield Avenue and Myers Lane that he would like to develop with light industrial and office uses. "That would be a great anchor for that site," he said. Ayala's property is among 14 requests for inclusion in the urban expansion area the city had received by Monday. The Medford City Council will consider the urban growth boundary expansion process during a study session scheduled for noon today, Room 151 Lausmann Annex, 200 S. Ivy St., Medford. The council met with the planning staff in April and concluded that it needed more information before determining if there is a need for more land within the city limits. "We are not recommending that council say, 'Start the process' at this point," said Planning Director Rob Scott. If pursued, the city's process would run parallel to a regional problem-solving process, a formal effort by seven cities and Jackson County, led by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, to plan for the valley's population doubling to 270,000, which could happen in the next 40 to 60 years. Medford wants to add nearly 4,600 acres to its urban growth boundary in that time to accommodate tens of thousands of new residents. The boundary-update process is estimated to be about two years from completion. But some developers who have purchased rural property want the city to start its own growth planning in case the curent process falls through or hits delays. Scott said that both the planning staff and the planning commission have recommended that the city not consider any UGB amendment requests, such as Ayala's, until the larger RPS process is finished. Some developers have been pressuring the city to speed the process. Scott said some council members have indicated they would like to consider a couple of the developers' requests, but that opens the door to all of them, he said. He also said the city has received some letters from developers asking the city not to amend the UGB process. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy