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SUNNY Temp: 77 °F Wind: NNW at 11 mph Tuesday, May 20, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 9, 2003 Bill would allow building on mill sites By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — A bill designed to make more industrial land available by re-using vacant mill sites on land zoned for farm and forest uses has stirred mixed reactions in Jackson County. House Bill 2691 would allow cities and counties to rezone and extend water and sewer services to abandoned mill sites without going through the often-lengthy exceptions process required to develop in areas set aside for agriculture and timber production. "The proposed legislation does not seek to amend the goals intended for the protection of agricultural or forest lands," said Rep. Patty Smith, R-Corbett, one of the sponsors, in testimony last week. "Rather it seeks to streamline the process for changing the type of industry that can locate on an already developed mill site. Since 1989 more than 160 mills have closed in Oregon, including 14 in Jackson County and five in Josephine County. "There’s mill sites, and there are mill sites," said Bruce Laird, regional development officer of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department. He said the number outside the urban growth boundary was probably small, and many are too remote to be viable industrial sites. Utilizing abandoned lumber and plywood plants "is fencing around with a piece of the big issue, the shortage of industrial sites." Laird said, adding "The point is people buy property because have a current need. If they have to wait for rezoning land use approval, it often drives them away. "So I see value in any program that can make more shovel-ready land available." Laird said amending the farm/forest goal "is playing with the holy grail of land-use planning. But you cannot look at rural land development without looking at the rural rule." Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas said the whole issue of development in rural areas needs extensive public debate. "People want to know what kind of land use decisions are being made and the effect it could have on their property." Vehemently opposing the bill was Brent Thompson, a former Ashland city councilman active in land-use issues. "This is just an excuse for stretched out development. The bill is an end-run around what makes Oregon a wonderful place to live," said Thompson. "I believe in Jackson County. Offering these kinds of city services to rural areas would be contrary to the regional planning they have in place here." Thompson was formerly affiliated with the Jackson County Citizens League, a no-growth advocacy group. He currently is putting together a new organization, Friends of Jackson County, which will focus on the financial impacts of development as well as land-use issues. The bill had its first hearing last week and it was clear that a number of problems — ranging from the definition of a mill site to the threat of urban sprawl — will require an extensive reworking of the legislation to get it to the governor’s desk. The statewide land use watchdog organization 1000 Friends of Oregon is working to fast track the land use process to make more industrial land available, according to testimony by Randy Tucker, legislative director. But he said the group has problems with the legislation’s definition of a mill site, among other concerns. "The laws should not leave out rural lands," Tucker said. "This bill might help local areas. The difficulty is how you accomplish this without unintended consequences. "This is a work in progress." Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S