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OVERCAST Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, October 4, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2003 Retirement village clears hurdles Jacksonville’s planned Pioneer Retirement Community could begin construction in a few months By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — Patience is about to pay off for developer Jeff Chamberlain — and for seniors wishing to live in the long-awaited Pioneer Retirement Community. City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said the town’s Historical and Architectural Review Commission passed Chamberlain’s senior housing plans at its last meeting. "There was some tweaking of some design concepts — siding, a sky bridge, a water tower," said Wyntergreen. After seven years of being tied up in zoning processes, council meetings and review boards, the final blueprints are being prepared for the $12 million project, Chamberlain said. Construction should begin in several months. Advertisement "When we first started," he said, "there was no zoning in Jacksonville that would allow senior housing. It took a year to get zoning. Then commercial zoning. Then senior housing in the commercial zone. Then HARC. Tons and tons of paperwork and revision." Former Jacksonville mayor Clara Wendt owns property near the project, which is at North Fifth and G streets. She said she wishes Chamberlain’s property were larger. Pioneer Retirement Community will have 102 units consisting of 60 independent apartments, 30 assisted-living apartments and about a dozen "river cottages" near Jackson Creek. All combined, the complex will house about 125 seniors on 6.5 acres. Wendt said she thinks the project would be better housed on a larger parcel. "I’m just sad he doesn’t have 10 acres — a larger space on which to place this type of thing," said Wendt. "It’s not my cup of tea. But if it’s what they like, so be it. Several people are quite anxious to sell their house and move in. " Chamberlain said a one-room apartment in the assisted-living section of the development would probably cost about $1,700 per month. All utilities and three meals a day are included in the cost. Councilman Bill Leep said the project will be good for Jacksonville, having minimal traffic impact compared to other types of developments and bringing money into town coffers. "I’m delighted to see that kind of land use," said Leep. "We’re getting seasoned citizens, investment income and people using our services." The commercial phase of Chamberlain’s project passed HARC review seven months ago and construction continues on an on-site medical building and pharmacy. There is also space for a bank and other retail offices for what Chamberlain calls a "mini-community." "It was a separate application and a separate land parcel," said Chamberlain. Chamberlain previously developed Farmington Square and Barnett Woods — two senior-living communities in Medford. Although guiding this project through the city’s approval processes took longer than he’d anticipated, Chamberlain said he’s "generally pleased" with the latest of his senior-living communities. "We finally accomplished what we set out to do," said Chamberlain. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times