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Click Here 46 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend February 3, 2004 A billboard on Medford�s Riverside Avenue publicizes Friday�s hearing on the proposed Medford Wal-Mart Supercenter. Citizens for Responsible Development, which plans to speak out against project during the hearing, paid for the message. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Group will speak against Wal-Mart Citizens for Responsible Development say the traffic generated by the giant store would overwhelm the area By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Members of a citizens group, now 80 strong, plan to speak out against the proposed Medford Wal-Mart Supercenter at a public hearing Friday. The Citizens for Responsible Development, a Rogue Valley group formed to oppose Wal-Mart construction at Miles Field, is working with a consultant from Goal One Coalition, an organization that is involved in opposing Wal-Marts and other big-box stores around the state.To prepare for Friday’s meeting of the Site Plan and Architectural Review Commission, the citizens group is holding a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the Santo Center, 701 N. Columbus Ave. The critics’ primary argument, they say, is that the area can’t handle the traffic the 207,784-square-foot store would bring. They say it would amount to an estimated 8,755 additional vehicle trips per day on Center Drive and Highway 99. Jim Just of Lebanon, a land-use expert with the Goal One Coalition, said the store is more than the 20.51 acres (currently occupied by Miles Field and the Jackson County Juvenile Services facility) can tolerate. "We think the most obvious problems with the Medford proposal are traffic problems," he said. Advertisement "We just don’t think it’s a compatible location." But according to the city and state traffic officials, the big box has its ducks in a row. Scott Rogers, associate planner with Medford, said city staff has been working with Wal-Mart designers on the plan for months. Wal-Mart has put together a proposal that complies with city requirements. "This is not the exact same plan they came in the door with in July," he said. He said requirements include concealing mechanical equipment on the rooftop and providing sufficient sidewalks for pedestrians. The city is also asking for minorlandscaping, lighting and parking changes. But the traffic is good to go. "Our traffic people have reviewed the project and so has ODOT (the Oregon Department of Transportation)," said Rogers. "Their conclusion was that it should work," he said. John Vial, ODOT district manager, said the original plan called for two traffic signals on Center Drive. The state thought that could create congestion at the intersection of Garfield Street and Highway 99. Developers modified the plan to have one signal on Center Drive, he said. "Therefore, we’re fine," said Vial.The city’s concern is that the five access points for vehicles going to and from Wal-Mart operate safely and efficiently, which they would, said Alex Georgevitch, city public works transportation manager. Even though the store will result in an estimated 8,755 additional daily car trips on area streets, Wal-Mart isn’t required to manage the future traffic impact, he said. "The time we assess impacts due to future developments is at the time of zone change," he said. The site was zoned for regional commercial and general industrial use in 1991. Additionally, Wal-Mart will pay $1.4 million in system development charges. The fees go to pay for streets, bike lanes, curbs and sidewalks. But Wendy Siporen of Citizens for Responsible Development said the traffic impact needs to be addressed because heavy traffic will make Wal-Mart incompatible with its surroundings. "There are still problems with their application that will cause problems with the traffic," she said. She said her group also plans to raise issues about site design and zoning, but she said she would wait until the public hearing to reveal the details. Siporen, a Talent City Council member, said she would like to see the Superstore built at the site of the existing Wal-Mart in Talent rather than at the new site. The retailer plans to shut down the existing store and build the new structure. "They did it in Grants Pass," she said. "They were able to expand where they were located." Site Plan and Architectural Review Commissioner Norm Nelson said the job of the commission is to make sure the application conforms with city code and to take into consideration compatibility issues, or how it looks. He said he did not want to comment further. "We have to be unbiased," he said. He did say he was looking forward to a large turnout. "It’s nice to have folks come down and talk to us," he said. "The more the merrier." If the commission gives Wal-Mart a green light, then the retailer is set for construction. "The next step is they could apply for building permits, unless it’s appealed," said Rogers. Land-use expert Just said he does not know if the Citizens for Responsible Development will appeal the decision should it be approved by the commission. "What our organization tries to do is to provide a sound legal basis for appeal," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Public hearing What: Site Plan and Architectural Review Commission meeting. Where: Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. When: Noon Friday. More information: Contact the Medford Planning Department, 774-2380. Today: Citizens for Responsible Development will meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the Santo Center, 701 No. Columbus Ave., to prepare for Friday’s meeting. 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. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! 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