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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, March 18, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 10, 2005 Travis Corbin, left, and his father, Fred, are the first in Jackson County to have a claim approved under Measure 37. Fred Corbin wants to build a home on 1.19 acres zoned exclusive farm use near Phoenix. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Measure 37 claims OK’d Two Jackson County property owners say they will build additional homes on land they’ve owned since the 1960s By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Commissioners approved two Measure 37 claims Wednesday, making Jackson County the second in the state to waive zoning restrictions under the new law that took effect Dec. 3. The only commissioner to vote against the measure, Dave Gilmour, made the motion to approve the first claim. Fred Corbin, 69, of Talent, wants to build a house on 1.19 acres that he’s owned since 1967 on Cabbage Lane near Phoenix. All three commissioners voted for Corbin’s claim, as well as one filed by 88-year-old Lela Myers of Medford. Advertisement The measure gives property owners the right to file a claim with a government agency if they believe regulations have resulted in decreased property value. The measure requires governments to either pay for lost property value or provide a waiver of the offending land-use regulation. Jackson County follows Yamhill County, which last week approved six claims under the measure, approved by voters in November 2004. So far, 25 claims have been filed in Jackson County. Commissioners voted on the two that appeared to have the least amount of questions over ownership, zoning changes and other problems. "It’ll seem surreal when I have something in my hands that says it’s OK," said Corbin’s son, Travis. "I don’t want to delay this any longer," said Commissioner Jack Walker. "I want to get on with these things. I want to make some decisions." Myers said she wants another house on the 40 acres she owns on Hillcrest, where she lives with her daughter. "I’m glad they’re going to allow me to build my house," said Myers, who added she isn’t interested in pursuing any larger development. "Common sense said it should be approved." Myers wondered if she would need to have permits to build, since they weren’t required when she originally bought the property in 1964. The property was subsequently zoned forestland. Walker told her after the meeting, "My view is you don’t have to now, other than meeting public safety and health regulations." Walker, who said he would push for a speedier process, said the county and the state have done enough harm to property owners by preventing them from developing their land for decades. He promised Myers that the county would do everything in its power to streamline the process. "You’re on top of the list of planning applications," he said. Both property owners have cleared a major hurdle in realizing their dreams, but the process could be far from over as the developments must meet public health and safety regulations as well as comply with federal law. Travis Corbin, 24, said he’s worried about wetlands issues regarding his father’s property and also about getting approval for a septic system. "There’s still a bunch of things left," he said. The Talent resident thought it was a long shot that his dad would get approval to finally build on the property that he’s owned for nearly 40 years. "It was such a shot in the dark for me," he said. His dad said the laws enacted by the state and county prevented him from developing his property, zoned exclusive farm use. "I think it’s unfair that you can’t put one dwelling on it," said Fred Corbin. Commissioner Gilmour said that despite his opposition to the measure, he realizes the voters have spoken and he wants to uphold the law. The measure leaves many unanswered questions about potential conflicts with state law. It also poses challenges for communities in Jackson County looking toward long-range solutions to handle growth, Gilmour said. People filing claims also need to realize that the measure doesn’t force local water boards to extend services beyond the urban growth boundaries, Gilmour said. "There is still a lot of uncertainty about this and it will probably take six to 12 months to play out," he said. Commissioner C.W. Smith said it is important to quickly get through Measure 37 claims, but claimants still are required to meet current building code. "We’re not going to abdicate that," he said. He said the kind of claims approved Wednesday — a limited number of homes rather than large developments — typify most of the claims being filed in the county. Smith disagreed with opponents of the measure who think it will ruin the state. "Measure 37 does not destroy land- use planning," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Advertisement s