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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 12, 2006 Meetings set on Jacksonville UGB By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Residents and nearby neighbors are demanding a voice in setting the city's urban growth boundaries. And they want to be heard before ideas become a reality, they say. Jacksonville resident Linda Meyers moved to the historic town the day Measure 37 passed. A week later, an orchard was destroyed in the name of development, she says. "People are very upset about growth," said Myers. "I don't want to see any expansion beyond the present UGB boarders." The public is going to be included in the planning process, Leep said. The city has three meetings scheduled this month to further discuss its proposal with county officials — and inform the public, Leep said. "We're still in the vision setting," said Leep. "The proper involvement when they could really influence direction is coming. The city originally sought to enlarge its borders by taking in 1,132 acres, of which 726 acres would be used as open-space buffers,, says Councilman and Planning Commission liaison Bill Leep. But it has since reduced its expansion request, Leep said.Having escaped the sprawl of Southern California, the 58-year-old retired college teacher wants to smite the head off "the UGB dragon" before it eats Southern Oregon, Meyers said. "Urban sprawl happens overnight. Look at East Medford and Eagle Point," said Meyers. The current UGB proposal has eliminated two of the three sections formerly deemed special-protection zoning. The buffer areas, which include properties on Walker Creek Road, are being proposed to control developments that could result from Measure 37 claims, Leep said. At the June 6 City Council meeting, county residents living on nearby Walker Creek Road urged the council not to include their properties in the UGB. Dr. Edwin Kerwin said those who live on the outskirts of Jacksonville are the town's "biggest fans and boosters." "But do not impose the UGB on those of us who do not want to be brought in," said Kerwin. Mayor Jim Lewis told the county residents they have the "cart before the horse" and should be taking their complaint about lack of notice to the county, not the city. "I'm not going to have any more hearings from those who are not members of Jacksonville," said Lewis. Lewis' comments were not comforting to residents already feeling disenfranchised from the planning process. Jenni Heroux, also a Walker Creek Road resident, said county residents are facing "a lose-lose situation." "We are not citizens of Jacksonville, but we are being considered for inclusion in the UGB although we have not been part of the discussion," said Heroux. Neighbor Luis Guidici agreed. "County residents are being treated like second-class citizens," said Guidici. The Jacksonville and Jackson County planning commissions met in a rare joint session in October 2005 to discuss the proposal. John Renz, regional representative for the Department of Land Conservation and Development, stunned planning members from the county and Jacksonville when he warned that the city might not have valid reasons for expanding beyond its current size. Renz said state officials toured the city and found substantial amounts of land within its borders that could be developed. Meyers agrees with Renz. "The state wants a certain density because it is trying to protect open spaces by filling in the already populated areas," she said. Cities with population bases of over 25,000 must grow, said Meyers. And some communities might welcome a 2.5 or 3 percent growth, she said. But Jacksonville can meet the goals of its comprehensive plan's 20-year growth simply by asking Jackson County commissioners to approve a population allocation that allows for only 1 percent growth. "Then we can meet that goal by building on properties already within current boundaries," said Meyers. Leep said people should attend the planned meetings, and exhibit a bit of patience for the planning process. "Nothing is set in stone,"he said. I wish people weren't so angry about it. This is the natural progression of planning." 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