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29 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, December 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 5, 2004 County sticks to letter of the law Jackson County commissioners could use its interpretation of zoning law to pave the way for the Billings Ranch golf course proposal By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune 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. Advertisement 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. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities