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61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds 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 Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 24, 2004 South Gateway appealsWal-Mart It’s one of three Wal-Mart Supercenter challenges that the Medford City Council will consider in May By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Owners of Medford’s South Gateway Center filed a last-minute appeal in an attempt to stop a Wal-Mart Supercenter approved for a nearby site. Citing traffic problems in the area and concern that Wal-Mart never did a comprehensive traffic study for the project, South Gateway Center Partners filed what is the third appeal opposing the project. The Site Plan and Architectural Commission gave final OK on April 2 for a 206,533-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter to be built on Highway 99, where Miles Field currently sits. Two appeals were filed April 14, one by former Medford City Councilman Bill Mansfield and one by Talent City Councilwoman Wendy Siporen, representing Citizens for Responsible Development. The appeal filed Friday was submitted by Dana Krawczuk of Ball Janik LLP of Portland, representing the South Gateway Center Partners, on whose property the south Fred Meyer and other businesses sit. Advertisement According to the appeal, "... the city’s approval failed to adequately consider the impacts of the proposed Wal-Mart on the transportation system." The appeal claims that when the area’s zoning was changed in 1991, a condition of that approval was that a comprehensive traffic study be done by the applicant, but it has not been done. The appeal claims that the project will overload nearby intersections and crossings as far away as Highway 99 and South Stage Road, Stewart Avenue and South Holly Street and Ellendale Drive and Barnett Road. The commission did require Wal-Mart to install a center median on Center Drive, but the appeal claims that’s a nominal condition. The two appeals filed earlier are scheduled to be considered at the council’s May 6 meeting, and the new appeal will be heard at a May 20 council meeting, according to the city recorder’s office. The earlier appeals also address traffic problems in addition to municipal code issues they claim should apply to the project. According to City Attorney Ron Doyle, the council can uphold the Site Plan and Architectural Commission’s decision, or it can reverse, modify, or remand it back to the commission. If it is upheld, opponents can file an appeal with the Land Use Board of Appeals. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 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 ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities