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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... Rogue Valley gubernatorial candidate blasts Gov. Brown on climate change ... Historical Society executive director stepping down ... Police say Grants Pass man admits to 50 vehicle thefts in Rogue Valley ... MEDFORD City gears up for hearings on future growth Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 12:10 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 12:10 PM » Social News A lot of development money is at stake as Medford nears the finish line in its plans for a 20-year growth spurt. The city is gearing up for a series of public hearings that will weigh the pros and cons of a proposal to add 1,516 acres for residential and employment development. “This is one of the most complex issues that we will face in our careers,” Councilor Chris Corcoran said. The first public hearing on the proposal to add land inside the city is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 6 in City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St. The council is looking at adding more dates to take in public testimony, anticipating testimony from developers and landowners as to why their properties should be included or hearing complaints about being excluded. Corcoran said he wouldn’t vote on the proposal because of conflicts of interest. (Corrected from an earlier version. Councilor Tim Jackle will vote on the proposal). The growth proposal calls for adding 879 acres of residential and 637 devoted to employment, which includes commercial and light industrial areas. “This recommendation meets our land needs for the next 20 years,” said Joe Slaughter, a city planner. He and other planners have reviewed 4,400 acres of possible growth areas surrounding the city and narrowed them down to 1,516 acres that could accommodate 20 years of residential and commercial growth. The city also proposes bringing in about 1,900 acres for Prescott and Chrissy parks, which are both outside city limits. Most of the land proposed for Medford's growth is to the northeast and southeast. There are parcels north of East Vilas Road; land east of North Phoenix Road; Hillcrest Orchards, where RoxyAnn Winery sits; and the Centennial Golf Club, owned by the Rogue Valley Manor. Smaller parcels are proposed south of Garfield Street and west of town. In one of the earlier proposals, local developers, including Mahar Homes, complained to the city that their properties were being excluded. The Planning Commission decided to include about 170 acres of Mahar property. The Medford Planning Commission earlier removed about 175 acres from Hillcrest Orchards off Hillcrest Road after 1000 Friends of Oregon sent a letter that described the overall number of acres the city had proposed as “excessive.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Jul 24, 2015 at 12:10 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501