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PLANNING Medford plans to pack more people inside its borders Developers looking at projects that would allow greater densities Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 5:01 PM Updated Dec 5, 2014 at 11:08 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 5:01 PM Updated Dec 5, 2014 at 11:08 PM » Social News The city of Medford is planning to pack people in a little tighter, which for some property owners provides an opportunity for development that didn't exist before. An agreement reached by the Medford City Council Thursday sets the stage for higher-density housing and more commercial zoning on 550 acres in the city. For the Living Waters Foursquare Church on Roberts Road, it could mean that an empty lot next to North Medford High School finally gets developed after 50 years, providing the church with extra funds for greater outreach to the community. “Having it sit empty for another 40 years wouldn’t be exciting for us,” Pastor Ryan Rhoden said. The existing church on the property, which was moved from its previous location near Hawthorne Park when Interstate 5 was built, will remain in place, but the empty land immediately to the south could have apartments or other high-density development. The council approved greater densities for the church-owned property and for dozens of other properties scattered throughout Medford. Some land previously designated to have six residential units per acre was changed to allow either 15 or 30 units per acre. Other land that was designated industrial was changed to commercial. While the council created the new designations, it will still be up to landowners to apply for zone changes, though the process will be significantly easier following the council action. Oregon land-use laws require the city to achieve higher density within its existing boundaries before expanding outward. The city is considering adding 1,650 acres to its boundaries to accommodate a projected doubling of its population in approximately 20 years. In the case of the Living Waters church property, the city initially proposed densities of 15 units per acre, but in the end agreed to the church's request to increase it to 30 units per acre. Currently, the church would be allowed to have only four units per acre. Corey McQueen, director of community projects for the church, said the church wants to use the money from the development of the land to establish a presence in the downtown. “We want to be more involved in Bear Creek restoration,” he said. “We want to be more involved with under-served kids.” At this point, the church doesn’t have firm plans for the empty lot or for the type of building project it might undertake in the downtown, McQueen said. He did say the church has been talking to developers about building on the property. Senior planner John Adam said the city’s effort to create higher-density development has generated interest from the church and others who are now contemplating doing something with their land. “It seems like it’s an economic generator,” he said. While the church was pleased with the outcome of the council meeting, some developers weren’t happy with the proposed changes. Mark Weiss, a developer who owns 9 acres off Orchard Home on the western edge of Medford, said the state's plan to create high-density parcels isn’t a good model for Medford. He said many families still want single-family residential properties with a large front yard and backyard. Weiss said he was opposed to the planning department’s recommendation to create commercial and high-density lots out of his two parcels. After listening to his plea, the council decided to apply a medium-density residential density to his property. Weiss received approval to build 16 houses on his two lots in 2008, but tabled the plans after the economy tanked. Now, with the medium density the council created as a compromise, he said he will likely sell the parcels off to another developer. “There are interested parties that have talked to me,” he said. Weiss said he thinks Oregon’s land-use laws make it difficult for developers, and he prefers to concentrate his efforts in other states where he owns properties, such as Arizona and Texas that have more lenient laws. Neighboring landowners expressed concern about the increased densities as well. David Lexow, who owns property near the Orchard Home properties, called the plan "crazy growth." “I’m a little freaking out at the magnitude and proximity,” he said. The council tried to come up with compromises with other property owners who had concerns about high-density development, lowering several properties to medium density. Proposals for two properties, one on Table Rock Road and another near Donahue Frohnmayer Park, were tabled to be analyzed at a later date. Councilor John Michaels was the sole vote to go forward with the high-density designation on the property next to the park, located north of the Cherry Creek Apartment complex that was opposed by many local residents. Ultimately, Cherry Creek was reduced from 100 units to 50 units in a complex deal between the city and the Jackson County Housing Authority. “We did bend over backwards to limit what happened in that neighborhood,” Michaels said. “We do have a charge to increase density in the city.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 5, 2014 at 5:01 PM Updated Dec 5, 2014 at 11:08 PM » 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. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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