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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Since You Asked: Fracking and the LNG pipeline UPDATED: Body found in Greensprings area is Klamath Falls fugitive Mail Tribune online access is free this weekend Record low snowpack worries irrigators and resorts Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services UPDATED: Body found in Greensprings area is Klamath Falls fugitive Former Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb dies Man who allegedly almost robbed Purple Parrot returns Medford burglary nets guns, electronics and cash Politics and Elections Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Education Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten State boosts class time expectation A wealth of experience Environment Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. 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Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Theater Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Rent' Music Jesse Cook plays the Craterian Theater Shybo Torres plays South Stage Cellars Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Trio Valtorna plays SOU Music Hall Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW UPDATED: Body found in Greensprings area is Klamath Falls fugitive ... Record low snowpack worries irrigators and resorts ... Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration ... UPDATED: Body found in Greensprings area is Klamath Falls fugitive ... Record low snowpack worries irrigators and resorts ... Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration ... STATE OF THE CITY Ashland mayor proposes quality-of-life development efforts Stromberg sets out five ways to improve housing, transit in Ashland's tight boundaries Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 @ 2:00 am By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Social News Ashland needs to change its approach to development if it wants to maintain its quality of life in the long-term, Mayor John Stromberg told residents in his State of the City address Tuesday night. Doing that, he says, means making better use of the infrastructure the city already has to accommodate growth within its restrictive urban growth boundary. Since 1982, Ashland has maintained a policy of pursuing "infill" in existing developments over expansion of the city's geographic footprint. To do that, the city has, among other measures, encouraged construction of multiple new housing units on existing residential lots, as well as consolidation of those developments to avoid damaging the city's prized scenery.  Addressing a packed house in the Ashland Community Center, the mayor described himself as a believer in market freedom and the need for minimal regulations. "But laissez-faire development doesn't result in a good quality of life," he said. Ashland's population growth has remained relatively modest in recent years, increasing by just 40 people between 2013 and 2014, but the mayor said demographic changes have been enough to show weaknesses in the city's development strategy. Stromberg pointed to what he described as the unintended consequences: Residential neighborhoods with only one main thoroughfare, upstairs apartments in the city's mixed-use planning overlay that don't house employees of their ground-floor businesses. The mayor also attributed steady decreases in enrollment in the Ashland School District to a lack of family-friendly housing developments within the city. Stromberg's proposed solution is five-fold: Concentrating residential development along a defined public transit loop Fostering family-friendly developments of houses with at least three bedrooms and adjacent yard space. Modifying mixed-use housing overlay to provide for local employees and business owners. Building basic infrastructure to allow development of the 65-acre Croman Mill Site. Reducing traffic impact on pedestrians in the downtown core. He also suggested that that the city should pursue a transfer system for development rights. This would allow landowners within specific planning zones to sell the building rights that came with their properties to landowners with more profitable holdings. Stromberg said he and community development director Bill Molnar will have to approach state and regional planning partners for input, and that the city will likely partner with the Rogue Valley Transit District to achieve the public transportation goals he outlined. "This is a town for connection, and we all connect to each other," he said. The mayor said he's asking the City Council to give direction to planning staff regarding how to proceed with each of the proposals. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471, or by email at [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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