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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 7, 2007 Medford Wal-Mart clears another hurdle By Meg Landers Mail Tribune A development group halted its efforts to stop construction of a new Wal-Mart Supercenter on the former Miles Field site in Medford after Wal-Mart bought their property. South Gateway Center Partners, which developed the shopping center adjacent to the planned Wal-Mart site, asked the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals in January to dismiss its case. Bob Parks, a Seattle partner in the South Gateway Center Partners, said the group sold its last remaining property in South Gateway, about 3.5 acres, to Wal-Mart. The final completion of the agreement involving Medford, Jackson County and the Medford Urban Renewal Agency to develop South Gateway was recorded in October of 2006, according to MURA's records. "That ends our 17-year venture in the city of Medford," said Parks. He said South Gateway Partners originally opposed the Wal-Mart over concerns that Wal-Mart traffic would affect their investment. Advertisement "The reason that we had this contest was basically we were protecting our property," he said. A citizens group called Medford Citizens for Responsible Development still has an appeal before LUBA. It says Wal-Mart should have been required to conduct a comprehensive traffic study, which would have made the giant retailer responsible for building any street improvements made necessary by their store. Kelly Burgess, spokeswoman for LUBA, said the citizens group's appeal, led by Talent resident Wendy Siporen, is scheduled for a March 1 hearing. A decision is due at the end of March. Both appeals were filed last summer after the Medford City Council approved Wal-Mart's proposal to build a 207,000-square-foot store on land that had for decades been a baseball field. The council's action followed earlier appeals to LUBA by the same two entities. Both questioned the project's impact on traffic, and the citizens group also questioned its compatibility with nearby development. Wal-Mart representatives have argued that the city cannot legally require them to do a comprehensive study at this time. A traffic study for the property was completed in 1991 at the time of a zoning change. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help