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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend June 10, 2006 City has its work cut out for it By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The city of Medford will have to do a lot of homework to determine whether its urban growth boundary can be expanded. City planning staff say the city will have to update a number of studies, including its population forecast, an economic opportunities analysis, a land needs analysis and a buildable lands inventory, before the city can pursue an urban growth boundary expansion as directed by the city council Thursday. Oregon land use law requires cities to define an urban growth boundary, in which to concentrate growth, as a way to reduce suburban sprawl. The council directed staff to look into updating those reports during a study session that was attended by at least a dozen builders, land developers and planning consultants. The council also debated allowing property around the Rogue Valley Manor into the city. Councilman Jim Key said he would need proof the city is in short supply of buildable land before supporting a UGB expansion process. As of Thursday, owners of 17 rural properties, totalling about 1,558 acres, have requested inclusion in the UGB. If the council decides to expand the UGB, the process would run parallel to a larger growth planning process that includes seven cities and Jackson County. This regional problem solving process, led by the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, is an effort to accommodate a population that is expected to double to 270,000 in the next 40 to 60 years. The region includes Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, Medford, Central Point, Eagle Point and Jacksonville. Medford alone wants to add nearly 4,600 acres to its urban growth boundary in the next 40 to 60 years to accommodate tens of thousands of new residents. Ashland, by comparison, proposes no additions to its urban growth boundary. The RPS process is estimated to be about two years from completion. Some of the developers who have purchased rural property with the hope of including it within the UGB want the city to start its own growth planning in case the RPS process falls through or hits delays. Rob Scott, planning director, said that both the planning staff and the planning commission have recommended that the city not consider any specific UGB amendment requests until the RPS process is finished. Among those requesting inclusion is the Rogue Valley Manor, which wants the city to add 427 acres south of Juanipero Drive. The Manor is the only applicant that has already paid application fees to the city. John Huttl, city attorney, said the city charter says that an applicant can initiate the UGB amendment process. State land-use regulations require cities to prove the need before an expansion can be approved. Councilman Jim Key said he worried about "fairness to all" in the application process. "If it's fair to accept one application, then how to you turn down the rest?" he said. Councilman Skip Knight disagreed. "Let's take this application, let's work with it," he said. "There's no guarantee the RPS process is going to be concluded in a positive way ... There seems to be no end to it." The council members began debating whether to act on the application or to return the fee. Huttl warned the council it could not discuss a specific application during a study session. The council decided to discuss in a regular meeting the Rogue Valley Manor's application. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . 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