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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, September 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 20, 2004 Britt’s master plan in limbo over land-taking By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Talk of condemning private property to create parking for the Britt Festivals drew a crowd Wednesday to a meeting of the Jacksonville Planning Commission. "I don’t like these sneaky shenanigans," said Jo Anne Gordon, who owns one of two parcels that Britt wants to acquire for handicapped and truck parking. Britt’s land-use planner, Craig Stone, asked Jackson County commissioners this week whether they would consider condemning the parcels at West Fir and South First streets if the owners were unwilling to sell. Acquiring the properties is part of Britt’s proposed new master plan, which also includes increased reserved seating (but not total capacity), more bathrooms, box seats, refurbished concession stands and other changes. Gordon and her husband, Don, split time between their family home of 63 years in Jacksonville and a residence in Florida. They say they have no desire to sell and learned about the condemnation discussion in a newspaper story. Advertisement Several local business owners spoke in approval of Britt’s new master plan Wednesday, but most of the 50 attendees were there to express concern. Representatives for Britt Festivals and Jackson County, which owns the Britt grounds, say they are being unfairly represented. "We were asked to get an answer to the condemnation question by (Jacksonville)," said Stone. When the plan was first introduced at a July 14 planning commission meeting, City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said the city was not interested in using eminent domain to acquire the properties. Wyntergreen merely requested details on Britt’s proposal, he said. "I’m not telling them to condemn anything," said Wyntergreen. "I’m telling them to show me a plan that works. Not a wish list." Stone urged the commission to approve Britt’s master plan as submitted. He said the city’s recommendations for changes were "terribly onerous." "We don’t think we can comply, and we don’t think we should have to comply," said Stone. "You are inviting conflict and attorneys to come in and parse language." Britt Executive Director Ron McUne said the proposed changes are designed to improve the concert experience for all. "People expect and deserve change. We’re trying to address patron complaints," said McUne. McUne said media attention to the proposed 8-foot chain-link, barbed-wire fence, increased reserved seating and possible condemnation proceedings is creating divisiveness. County commissioners this week said they were unwilling to proceed with any property seizure. Commissioner Dave Gilmour said the county would not condemn property without clear public benefit, which had not been demonstrated. But that was not enough to assuage the worries of many attending Wednesday’s meeting. "I’m concerned they’re going to use the handicapped parking argument to acquire our property," said Jo Anne Gordon. Several years ago, the Gordons sold the second parcel Britt wants to Anne Brooke. That parcel is undeveloped. Brooke, a member of the Britt Auxiliary board, said no one contacted her about selling. She said she wants Britt to succeed, but contrary to reports she is a "willing seller," Brooke has made no decision to sell as yet. Don Gordon said Paul Korbulic, director of Jackson County Roads, Parks and Planning, had given them an unacceptable first-right-of-refusal agreement with no purchase amount stipulated. "The proposal that was submitted for us to sign was so toxic, it would virtually make it impossible for us to sell to anyone else," said Gordon. Korbulic said he had approached the Gordons, but had not discussed money because the conversations were too brief. He reiterated the county was not trying to seize property. Britt neighbor Carol Knapp asked the commission to put it in writing that no property condemnation could be part of the master plan language. During his comments, Stone repeatedly said his clients would continue to seek the two properties in order to build the parking lot. At that point, the city could vacate Fir Street and Britt could deny access to non-paying listeners. Britt has said people sitting outside the grounds disrupt paying patrons and create a safety concern. Planning Commission member Dennis Clark said he would not support a plan that included property condemnation. "Eminent domain is public theft in this instance," said Clark. No final decisions were made on Wednesday. The commission will continue to hear from the public on Britt’s proposal on Oct. 13. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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