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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 1, 2006 Cedar Landing development heads to vote IF YOU GO: WHAT: Medford Planning Commission public hearing on Cedar Landing planned unit development. WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today WHERE: Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Members of a large neighborhood group hope to convince the city at a meeting today to reject a proposed 541-resident, mixed-use development replacing Cedar Links Golf Club. Advertisement Traffic, stormwater runoff and a piece of agricultural zoning top the list of problems the Northeast Medford Neighborhood Coalition has with the proposed Cedar Landing planned unit development. If the city doesn’t reject it, the group vows an appeal to the state. "Our desire is that the PUD is denied," said Bob Sharp, a member of the 120-plus-member neighborhood group. Despite the documented opposition of about 70 neighbors, project developers and a couple dozen other neighbors say it’s an attractive plan. Today’s meeting is a continuation of a hearing that began in November. The Medford Planning Commission slowed the process after receiving a last-minute onslaught of letters, comments and questions from the project’s neighbors. It was delayed again in December when the project’s developers asked to clear up a zoning issue. Cedar Links Golf Club, on Cedar Links Drive near Foothill Road, is owned by the Jantzer family. The Jantzers hope to break ground this year in the northeast corner of the golf course on what is the third fairway and green, and plan to build all 541 residences and commercial spaces in five to seven years. Sixteen acres of the 118-acre golf course were zoned exclusive agriculture in the mid-1980s about the time it was annexed into the city. The rest of the property was zoned residential. The project applicants hope the commission agrees the agricultural overlay was an oversight at the time. "There’s no evidence as to why it’s there," said Dennis Hoffbuhr, project developer. "It doesn’t seem to make any sense." But Sharp says his group is arguing that zone changes need to be complete before the city looks at the project. "You cannot change the zoning after you’ve made an application," said Sharp. "They didn’t do their homework." The city’s planning department has included letters from about 23 people and a petition signed by 23 neighbors in support of the project, and letters from about 70 people in opposition. Lyndle Cate of Callaway Drive submitted a letter supporting Cedar Landing. "The proposed project from the Jantzer family appeals to me because of the mixed-use concept, walking trails and convenient access to neighborhood businesses, which in my opinion, will enhance this area’s living experience," wrote Cate. But Sharp, who has a view up fairway 15 toward Roxy Ann Peak from his home on Kerrisdale Ridge Drive, is among many residents who are worried the established neighborhood can’t support the additional traffic brought in by the commercial and high-density development proposed for the project. The Medford Public Works Department recommends that the project be approved on the condition that the developer put in a traffic signal at Foothill Road and Cedar Links Drive, because of a 70 percent increase in traffic that is anticipated from the development. Kim Parducci, senior engineer for JRH Transportation Engineering of Medford, said current traffic at that intersection during the peak hour of 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. is 1,346 cars. A standard SFR-4 (four homes per acre) development would put an additional 161 cars at the intersection, and the proposed PUD is estimated to put an additional 176 cars at the intersection. Other nearby intersections show projections that are lower with the proposed PUD than with a comparable SFR-4 subdivision. The neighborhood group has said specifics, such as stormwater management, have not been not spelled out. But Hoffbuhr said storm water management is part of the project. "Storm drainage is always taken into account," he said. "When you have 33 acres of open space you have some room to deal with that." But neighbors say there are too many unresolved problems and the project should be rejected. "Either way, it’s going to (the state) Land Use Board of Appeals," Sharp said. "LUBA isn’t part of the good ol’ boy network of Realtors and developers in Medford." Hoffbuhr said he’ll see what unfolds. "We’ll just cross that bridge when we come to it," said Hoffbuhr. "That’s their right." The proposal The proposed Cedar Landing planned unit development would have 541 residential lots and units on 118 acres, consisting of: 247 single-family residences. 105 single-family lots for people 55 and older. 39 condominiums. 150 luxury retirement units. 31.67 acres of open space, including five of the golf course's existing ponds. 2.87 miles of paths. A Rogue Valley Transportation District bus stop and bus shelter. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Cedar Landing development heads to vote ">[email protected] . 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. 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