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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 3, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 29, 2005 Bill defends local Measure 37 claims By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — A Jackson County commissioner testified in support of a bill Monday that would prohibit the state from challenging Measure 37 land-use changes made at the local level. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, had its first hearing before the House Land Use Committee. "We feel this bill is essential for a fair and impartial implementation of Ballot Measure 37," Commissioner C.W. Smith told the panel. "We ask for your support in assuring us that one level of government won’t punish another for carrying out the wishes of the state’s voters." Under the proposal, House Bill 3120, the state could not intervene in a Measure 37 waiver on property that was rezoned following the new law. Advertisement It also prohibits an adjacent landowner from filing a civil suit on grounds a return to the original zoning damaged his or her property values. The bill parallels one sponsored by Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point. Richardson’s bill, which has already passed the state House, would allow a property owner to obtain a Measure 37 waiver on property that had been zoned single-family residential at the time it was purchased and to construct a home. Jackson County has been feuding with the Department of Land Conservation and Development over a requirement that property owners file Measure 37 claims with the state as well as local government. "As far as I know, this is the only county that hasn’t cooperated with us," John Renz, of DLCD, said earlier this year. In an e-mail to Esquivel, Lane Shetterly, director of the state land agency, was anything but hostile to the Medford legislator’s bill — so long as the intent is limited to Measure 37 claims. "If so, we’re fine with the intent," he said, although he said some clarifying language might be required. "I assume your intent is not to insulate from challenge decisions that are not, in fact, authorized by the measure (37)." Esquivel said he would draft clarifying amendments, but added he may hold the bill until the Senate comes out with an omnibus measure to implement Measure 37. "My understanding is the Senate bill might incorporate what I’m trying to accomplish," he said. Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem. 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 Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s