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Company starts over with plan for Ashland site By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - It's back to the drawing board for a mixed-use development proposed on a 60-acre former mill site. Project developer Galpin LLC has withdrawn its appeal of a Planning Commission decision that stopped the first proposal. The commission denied Galpin's requested zone change in December because it would have reduced the city's available land for commercial development required by state land use planning laws. Galpin will submit a new proposal. "We're going to regroup and we're working with the city to resubmit a revised plan," said Maurice Torano of Galpin. Under the rejected proposal, more than 150 residences would have been built. A new proposal will place greater emphasis on commercial development with fewer housing units. Besides living spaces, a senior care facility, a church, a private school, a tourist railroad depot, offices and light industry were proposed for the site in the first application. The site formerly housed the Croman Corp. mill. Potential buyers remain interested in the site, said Torano. Talks continue with those seeking space for offices, light industry, assembly and small businesses. A multilevel care facility may not be compatible with future zoning. A church and a private school looking at the site may not be able to afford the land, said Torano. "There are some people still looking at (heavy industry) but it's not something we'd like to do," said Torano. Galpin has extended its option to purchase the property from current owners Kaufman and Cross Logging. The sale depends on approval to develop the site. Project coordinator Bill Barchet has said that Galpin spent more than $100,000 on the planning process before the earlier plan was rejected. Galpin and city planning officials have already held preliminary discussions on how they can revive the project to make it work. Consultant Craig Stone and Associates of Medford has been hired to prepare the proposal. The firm was not involved in the first application. The proposal could be presented within 60 to 90 days for pre-application consideration by the city and the project's neighbors, said Torano. A change from the current M-1 heavy industrial zoning to E-1 commercial zoning will probably be needed, said Torano. Heavy industry is allowed in an E-1 zone. Commercial zoning allows for residential overlays where 65 percent of a building's ground floor must be commercial use and the rest of the structure can have residential uses, said city planner Maria Harris. Some developments along A and Hersey streets follow those criteria. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.