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Manor plan remains open for comment Medford council hears concerns about congested traffic, fate of mobile home park By Jessica Smith Residents who asked city leaders to delay a decision on whether to approve the Rogue Valley Manor�s expansion plans got part of their wish Thursday night. The Medford City Council took no action on the Manor�s 2-year-old application to build a commercial complex off Ellendale Drive, instead voting to keep the public record open to give residents more time to comment on the retirement center�s plan and its effects on traffic. Written public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 8. The council is expected to take up the issue again at its March 1 meeting. Residents who spoke to the council Thursday, including many from a mobile home park that would fall if the Manor�s project moves forward, were hoping for a bit more time. Charles Moore, who lives near the Manor, asked council members to "put the cart behind the horse" and postpone ruling on the expansion until state transportation officials find a long-term fix for the congested freeway interchange on Barnett Road. The state expects to identify a preferred alternative for the interchange this spring. Tentative plans are to move it farther south. "If the Manor is in no hurry to build, it would seem they could agree to postpone (the decision)," Moore added. Though the Manor has given no timeline for construction, the retirement center has been struggling since 1998 to earn the city�s approval of a plan to build a restaurant, a 60-unit apartment complex, two mixed-use projects that combine housing and retail space, and a second office building. The Manor already has approval to build a hotel and a smaller office building. State transportation rules and widespread concern over traffic congestion at the Barnett interchange has prevented the Manor project, and other southeast Medford development, from moving ahead. But recent changes to the state�s guidelines for congestion at the interchange seem to open the door to some growth. The state Land Use Board of Appeals sent the Manor project back to the council, after finding the city incorrectly denied the application. The council, however, agreed to hold a public hearing on the matter rather than submit legal findings to support its earlier decision. Manor representatives requested the hearing late last year to show that the expansion project could meet local street standards and the state�s guidelines for the Barnett interchange. Addressing LUBA�s concerns, city staff say the project would meet Medford�s development guidelines if the following conditions were met: Make the southbound turn lanes from Riverside Avenue to Barnett Road exclusive to a left-hand turn. One of the lanes currently allows motorists to continue on Riverside. The city has budgeted funds to complete this project. Modify north- and southbound pedestrian access to Highland Drive at Barnett Road and possibly replace signals at the intersection. The Manor would be required to guarantee funding for this project. "Obviously, we support the staff�s recommendation," said Manor attorney Greg Hathaway. "We think that�s a very reasonable interpretation. It�s an interpretation that will protect the city." Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.