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54 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 10, 2004 Medford Wal-Mart hearing set By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Proponents and opponents get what could be their last chance to speak on a Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for south Medford during a public hearing Friday when the world’s largest retailer presents a modified plan. The Medford Site Plan and Architectural Review Commission is scheduled to continue its public hearing on the matter at noon Friday in Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Main St., Medford. Wal-Mart representatives asked that the hearing be continued so they could respond to problems presented by the commission during the first part of the hearing held Feb. 6. One of the commission’s concerns was the overall appearance of the building. Commission members were particularly concerned with the back side, which would essentially be a solid concrete block wall along Highway 99 between the National Guard Armory and Rogue Federal Credit Union. The commission was also concerned about the appearance of freight storage containers and pallets along the back side. The modified proposal includes canopy treatments and architectural additions to visually break up the building’s appearance, as well as a wall and crabapple trees to provide screening of storage containers. Advertisement "The changes that we’ve made have been in direct response to the commission at the last meeting," said Greg Hathaway, a Portland attorney representing Wal-Mart. "The look has been definitely enhanced and improved," he said. "Our architect will be there Friday to show what some of the changes are." But Brent Thompson, president of Friends of Jackson County, said the commission can’t approve the structure because it’s still not in scale with its surroundings. "A building 10 times the size of the next building — that’s not compatible," said Thompson. He said the commission could suggest that the retail space be broken up into four or five buildings; then it would be compatible. "If they’re hell-bent on approving the thing, they’ll just ignore the issue of compatibility and bulk," he said. John Huttl from the city attorney’s office said testimony the commissioners can hear at this meeting will be limited to comment on new evidence. He said points about traffic, zoning and impact on small businesses are already part of the record, so audience members probably wouldn’t be allowed to talk about those topics. "All of those arguments have already been made," he said. "If the new drawing still looks like a big box ... they can make the big box statement. "People should be prepared to look at the new submissions and make their discussion relevant to that." Between 150 and 200 people showed up for the Feb. 6 hearing. Of those, about 25 people gave spoken testimony. So far, four proponents and 18 opponents have submitted written testimony. If needed, Huttl said the commission could decide to continue the hearing after Friday. Reach reporter Meg Landersat 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times