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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2005 Planning code fix might aid homeowners By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Though the City Council could deny Medford’s first Measure 37 claim today, the property owners who filed it might get relief instead from a municipal code change that eases a restriction on legal but "non-conforming" structures. City planners will propose removing a clause in the code that says a non-conforming structure — a duplex in an area zoned for single-family homes, for instance — cannot be rebuilt if it’s destroyed more than 80 percent, for example by fire. "That’s the one that causes everybody problems," said Mark Gallagher, Medford senior planner. The issue will come before the Medford City Council today during its noon meeting in Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. In June, the council considered a Measure 37 claim filed by Keith and Christie Thomas. The Thomases’ said they could not sell their Elm Street house because it’s a non-conforming use. Advertisement In 1986, the neighborhood’s zoning changed from low-density, multi-family residential to multi-family residential-20, which allows for duplexes and other multi-family uses, but not single- family homes. The Thomases’ say they have had difficulty selling their home since last year because potential buyers can’t find someone to loan them money for the property. Lenders don’t want to underwrite a property that potentially could be destroyed in a fire, but then couldn’t be rebuilt. The city planning staff recommended denying the Measure 37 claim, saying there was no evidence of a decrease in property value, and the council continued the discussion to today’s meeting. Brett Funk, loan officer with People’s Bank of Commerce in Medford, said People’s Bank often sends clients to the city planning department to request a waiver before granting loans to purchase property with a non-conforming use. "We actually require a letter saying it can be rebuilt," said Funk, adding that the change will make a difference to several people around Medford. "We ran across it yesterday, and we had one last month." Gallagher said the public is not benefiting from the code as it’s written. He said because of things such as a responsive fire department, it’s actually unusual for a structure to be destroyed 80 percent. "It’s an easy one to give up," he said. There are probably 200 or 300 structures in Medford in the same boat as the Thomases’ house, said Gallagher. "The sellers are the ones that have been really aggravated by it," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Planning code fix might aid homeowners ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s