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Moratorium draws little opposition Talent decides to keep building ban By WENDY SIPOREN TALENT -- An attorney representing developers of the Oak Valley retirement community was the only person to testify against a continuation of the city's 2-year-old building moratorium Wednesday. Development of about 60 lots off of West Valley View Road has been put on hold pending resolution of the city's water shortage. After meeting in executive session, the City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that curtails almost all construction in the city until September 2000 or until a water intertie with Medford is completed, whichever comes first. Similar to the building moratorium, which expires next month, the strategy would allow only the construction of two buildings that have approved site plans -- the conversion of a residence to a dental office and a music accessory distributor. Oak Valley attorney Fred Wilson questioned why commercial and light industrial development would be allowed, but not residential. City planner Nancy Kincaid said that even considering the moratorium years, the city meets a target growth rate of 4 percent for residential development, but falls short in other categories. "The developers (of Oak Valley) are in the business of selling lots," said Kincaid. "We're not preventing them from marketing their lots, we're just narrowing their market (to people who don't want to build right away)." One Oak Valley homeowner came to the meeting to show his support for the developers. John Green and his wife, Ruth, have lived in the retirement community for less than a year. While admitting he doesn't know the history of the town's water problems, he questions why the city gave approval for a certain number of lots and then wouldn't allow houses to be built on them. "They (the developers) have got a tremendous investment here and had the rug pulled out from under them," said Green. Wilson refused to comment on whether Oak Valley developers will sue the city, but the possibility is a concern to the council. With a two-year state limit to building moratoriums looming over their heads, city officials are hoping that either the public facilities ordinance or a second moratorium will stand up to a court challenge. The council will hear public testimony on a second moratorium March 3. "There have to be limits," said Kincaid. "Unfortunately, public works projects don't happen in two years." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA