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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 28, 2005 Townhomes planned in the Farms of Jacksonville are rendered in this drawing by architect Matthew Small. Jacksonville approves farm-motif subdivision By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Builders of a farm-themed housing development are ready to make hay after receiving city approval for their 46-unit project Wednesday. The Farms of Jacksonville developers will break ground soon on its $12.2 million planned community, located on nearly four vacant acres bordered by Heuners and G Street in the heart of the historic town. Medford-native Brendan McDermott, co-founder and chief executive officer of Sebren Development in Los Angeles, said the 46 townhouses range in size from 1,400 to 1,700 square feet. McDermott said the project’s originally proposed 66 units were reduced to 46 in order to facilitate the plan’s open-space concept. The townhouses are expected to sell for a minimum of $350,000 to $400,000 each. And there is a waiting list, he said. The project’s proximity to downtown Jacksonville is a major draw, McDermott said. Also attracting buyers will be large master suites and baths, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and hardwood floors, he said. Advertisement "It really made a lot of sense to me to build a project within walking distance to everything," said McDermott. "And we stepped the quality up a notch." City Planner Scott Clay praised Architect Matthew Small’s concept of keying the townhouses and outdoor common areas toward a "backstory." "The project shows the evolution of a city’s expansion to build upon an old farmstead," said Clay. The concept spins around the last vestiges of an imaginary farm with remnants of old cherry and pear orchards, said Small. Imaginary because the farm was never actually there. And the soon-to-be- planted trees will not be fruit-bearing, he said with a smile. "Personally, I’d love to walk out my door and pick a real pear or cherries," said Small. "But they’re considered too messy for a development." Small and McDermott said they worked hard to win over their potential neighbors — before ever presenting their final plan to the city. "We rented out Redman Hall in Jacksonville," said McDermott. "We had all the players, the building site plan, the elevations. We didn’t want to blindside them." McDermott said neighbors’ concerns about winter drainage issues have been addressed. "We over-engineered the drainage," said McDermott. "If we’re going to be neighbors, we want to be good neighbors." Each cluster of homes is designed to look like a main house, a barn and a bunkhouse, said Small. Common areas include an outdoor fireplace. "That’s the ‘smokehouse,’" said Small. A concrete water feature will mimic an old well. A long grassy slope — intended to replicate the remains of an earthen barn ramp — ends in another water feature at the base of the "old barn’s foundation," he said. Small said the project moved through planning quickly. Submitted to the city in March, the project received final approval from the Historical and Architectural Review Commission Wednesday night — with minimal modifications. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Jacksonville approves farm-motif 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 Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews 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 Investments & Loans Advertisement s