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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 14, 2005 Gold Hill City Council OKs hillside subdivision By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — The City Council approved a 15-home hillside development over the objections of two council members who say their quality of life will be adversely affected. Council members Gus Wolf and Kathleen Price stepped down from their seats and joined other community members Monday night, asking the remaining council members to vote against the proposed development at the north end of Jacoby Street. The two council members live near the project and stepped down to avoid a conflict of interest. "I went out and talked to the town residents to see what they wanted," said Price. "This is not what they wanted in this quaint country town." Plans for the 3.2 acre parcel, owned by Gary Rhinehart of Medford, were presented to the council by Rogue Valley Council of Governments contract planner Dick Converse and Scott Sinner of Scott Sinner Consulting. The parcels range from 7,069 square feet to 13,800 square feet. "I anticipate these homes are going to be between 1,800 and 2,200 square feet," said Sinner. "I think they’re going to be an asset to Gold Hill." Advertisement Sinner also estimated the proposed sale price of the homes at $275,000 to $375,000 or higher. Rachel Burton, a Jacoby Street resident, said increased traffic would be unsafe for neighborhood children. "Where will they ride their bikes?" said Burton. "We bought our home due to the low density in this area where our children could play." Councilwoman Donna Silva acknowledged residents’ concerns about the impact of growth in the small community. She remembers when the town’s population was 500 residents, she said, but asserts that the project fits with the city’s rules. "You’ve got to let some people build," she said. From her seat in the audience, Price suggested the issue be tabled until an informal community vote could be taken. Converse reminded the council that they had a quasi-judicial decision before them. Precedent showed a popular vote would not be legal, he said. "This is not a popularity contest," said Converse. Wolf, having also attended planning commission meetings to speak against the project, said the city needed to develop its master plan. "The focus isn’t about legal, it’s about livability," said Wolf. Fish and Silva followed Converse’s lead and spoke about the inevitability of growth. "I understand you feel inundated," said Silva. "But you can’t really have thought the lots would stay vacant." The remaining members of the council — Jan Fish, Mike Hicks and Tom Daily — voiced their confidence in the judgment of the city’s planning commission, public works department and RVCOG, which have tentatively approved the project and voted in favor of Rhinehart’s development. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Gold Hill City Council OKs hillside subdivision ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztechmedia Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Advertisement s