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M/CLOUDY Temp: 50 °F Wind: W at 9 mph Tuesday, April 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate 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 Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 27, 2003 Regional solutions sought by land-use advocates By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune A new land-use watchdog group has formed while another is dissolving. "It looks like there is a void in this area in the county right now," said Brent Thompson, president of the new Friends of Jackson County. The Jackson County Citizens League is dissolving because the group can’t pay legal costs in a lawsuit it lost. In 1992, the league filed an enforcement order against Jackson County, alleging state and county land use violations. A hearing officer ruled for the group. As a result, county actions were monitored by the state for six years. "We are not a direct successor," said Thompson of the nonprofit. Like the league, the friends will probably affiliate with the 1,000 Friends of Oregon. Other friends’ officers are Jon Deason, vice president; Lynda Stevenson, secretary; John Graves, treasurer, and Debbie Williams, board member. Deason is a former county commissioner. Stevenson served on the board of the former Citizens League. Williams was a member of the Friends of Ashland. Thompson helped form the Citizens League in 1991. He is a former Ashland councilman and planning commissioner. "You can’t rely entirely on land-use policy. You have to monitor it," said Deason. "I’d like to have the group watch and look at decisions, make sure they hold to the goals." "There certainly is a reason for an organization to be out there and to even scrutinize what government has done," said Jackson County Commissioner Jack Walker. "I have felt in the past the Citizens League had been more of a thorn in the private property owner’s side than it has been in Jackson County’s." Some league opposition to private or county land-use actions was based on a few members’ views on limiting growth in Jackson County rather than on evidence, Walker said. "John Deason sat on the board that created many rules that are more restrictive," said Walker. Land-use issues came up when Deason ran against Walker four years ago. Deason’s defeat shows the general public didn’t agree with his views, Walker said. "In order to stop sprawl, the county commissioners and the planning department need to hem in the cities," said Thompson. "They need to make the cities develop more efficiently before expanding." The Friends support "regional problem solving," a formal effort by seven municipalities and the county to plan for the next 50 years, said Thompson. But maps showing possible expansion of some communities concern the group. "Bigger is better is the philosophy in Eagle Point, Central Point and Phoenix," said Thompson. "They want the biggest land grab as far as providing for growth. The cities really need to focus on infill rather than having all the growth at the perimeters." Public transit can only work without subsidies if there are 5,000 people per square mile, said Thompson. Now every city in Jackson County is at less than 3,000. "If people want any respite from the amount of traffic generated we need to look at going up a little bit more in our core areas of every town," said Thompson. Citizens League disbands in aftermath of ruling Jackson County Citizens League has voted to dissolve in the face of legal liabilities it is unable to pay. The league only has a couple hundred dollars, said President Sherman Lamb. League members and soil scientists trespassed on Coy and Penny Reed’s proposed homesite to gather samples that resulted in a reversal of the Reeds’ building permit approval. The Reeds accepted a $200 settlement for the trespass, but sued to recover legal costs. Circuit Court Judge G. Philip Arnold ruled they weren’t entitled to the costs, but the state appeals court reversed his decision. The state Supreme Court rejected the league’s appeal, sending the issue back to Arnold to determine the settlement amount. Another hearing date hasn’t been set since the league was granted a delay. Attorney John Hassen of Hornecker, Cowling, Hassen & Heysell, which represents the Reeds, said they would probably seek about $10,000. Hassen said the firm would look at the next step after Arnold sets an amount. "I’m very sad. It’s done good work and had a positive impact on the county," Lamb said of the League. He said the Reed’s action was designed to put JCCL out of business. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, 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 Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S