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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 16, 2006 Council upholds Cedar Links approval By Meg Landers Mail Tribune The Medford City Council upheld Thursday an approval of the 118-acre Cedar Landing project, which would replace Cedar Links Golf Club, denying a neighborhood group's appeal. The group vowed to take its case to the state Land Use Board of Appeals. "We're not surprised — this is what we expected," said Tom Michaels, chairman of the Northeast Medford Neighborhood Coalition, following the decision. "It's a stepping stone to LUBA." The council voted 5-to-1 to deny the appeal of the mixed-use development project, upholding the Planning Commission's decision. The appeal challenged the commission's March 23 approval of the Cedar Landing development by the Jantzer family, which owns the property. The appeal was filed by Salem land-use attorney Corinne Sherton on behalf of the coalition. The appeal was on numerous grounds, ranging from problems with an agricultural zone on part of the property to approved deviations from minimum lot dimensions. Much of the testimony and council deliberation centered around one point: the 55-and-older phase of the development. The project calls for several lots that will be developed as senior, or 55-and-older, housing, and the project's traffic study reflects the smaller traffic volume figures projected for senior housing. But opponents argued the developers are using the senior housing category to make it appear that the project's traffic impact won't be as great as it might be, and that they're concerned that no senior housing will actually be built. "The city cannot rely simply on the applicant's statement," said neighborhood resident Caroline Hernandez. She asked the council to reverse the Planning Commission's findings because the application "fails to protect the city or to insure the livability." Tim Brophy, the Jantzers' attorney, said that because the application calls for a 55-and-older component, the developer is required to comply. He said the city requires covenants, codes and restrictions at the time of final approval that would insure the housing is what was promised in the application. "This is not a mere statement of intent," he said. Councilman John Statler, who cast the no vote, said he did not hear a good enough response refuting the applicant's concerns that the building of the senior housing portion would be required. "There's checks and balances in place," said Councilman Jim Key. "There's the building permit process." Dennis Hoffbuhr, the project's developer, said following the meeting that he wasn't worried about the neighborhood group's appeal to LUBA. "That's their right and we feel pretty confident about the record and feel we will prevail there, too," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s 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. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy