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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley 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 April 10, 2006 Two residents want Medford to expand its boundaries Property owners hope the city will expand its urban growth boundary to include their land By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune Two property owners at the center of a tug-of-war between Medford and Phoenix have formally asked Medford city officials to expand its urban growth boundary to include their 150 acres. The light industrial zoned land, south of a new golf course at the Rogue Valley Manor, includes 90 acres owned by Harry & David and 60 acres owned by Michael Mahar and John Duke. For more than two years, the owners have voiced a preference for the two parcels to become part of Medford, though Medford and Phoenix city officials have been negotiating future urban growth areas recently as part of a regional problem-solving process mandated by the state. Both Phoenix and Medford wanted the land to create a site for jobs and the revenue light industrial uses would create for city coffers. Medford Planning Director Rob Scott said the owners had asked to be added to Medford, outside the countywide RPS process, due to the length of time involved in completing an urban growth boundary amendment. "An urban growth boundary amendment is a two- to three-year process," Scott said. "The RPS process is probably another couple years and, if you wait until RPS is done, then begin the urban growth boundary process, it could take a considerable amount of time. They’re asking for us to move ahead now." Advertisement As to ongoing discussion between Medford and Phoenix regarding the two parcels, Scott said, "We would hope we’re going to have the whole thing resolved between us and Phoenix as far as where that dividing line is going to be." Phoenix Planning Director Jeanell Wyntergreen said the request from property owners for inclusion in Medford’s urban growth boundaries should have little impact on the RPS process, which is required by state law to garner consensus from everyone involved. "I don’t think the property owners are making any endorsements that are leading the cities in any direction," she noted. Bob Bluth, senior vice president of Harry & David and its general counsel, said the company’s preference for inclusion in Medford is nothing new. "Back when it first became a question, we said that we thought the parcel nearest Medford should go to Medford and (a third) parcel nearest Phoenix should go to Phoenix," Bluth said. "We have stated our position, which has remained unchanged. As things have developed, both within RPS, and not within the RPS process, our conversations with both cities have led us to take this recent step, and we think it’s a reasonable step and reasonable management of our property." While property owners are permitted under state law to request an urban growth boundary amendment, Wyntergreen said final decisions are with the state Land Conservation and Development Commission. Wyntergreen noted that the parcel owned by Duke and Mahar would require use of the failing Fern Valley Road interchange at Interstate 5. If Phoenix’s interchange would be affected by the parcel’s development, it should be part of the city, argued Wyntergreen. "Mr. Mahar is going to try to take his access for his property off of Fern Valley interchange," she added. Local representatives for the DLCD and Mahar were unavailable for comment Friday. Scott said Medford planners are hosting a workshop Friday in which a private consultant and representative for the state would be on hand to discuss the process of amending an urban growth boundary. For details, contact Scott at 774-2000. Phoenix City Council members will hold a study session April 27 to discuss impacts the boundary amendment could have on regional RPS participation. Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [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. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s