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42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, November 26, 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 Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley 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 June 25, 2004 Medford looks at what’s fitting A proposal would fit new developments into existing neighborhoods By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune A representative from ACCESS told the Medford City Council that a proposed ordinance change could mean tighter restrictions on building affordable housing. "It seems like you’re shooting yourselves in the foot," said Merry Hart, development coordinator with ACCESS Inc., during a study session Thursday. The city is considering guidelines for new developments, and planning staff says the changes would steer but not prohibit new development. Among staff’s recommendations are new guidelines for setbacks, building heights and construction materials of planned unit developments so new developments fit into existing neighborhoods. Planning Director Rob Scott said the "infamous Hannah Court issue down on Garfield" brought to light an issue that "our current ordinances are somewhat ill-prepared to deal with." Advertisement Hannah Court is a nine-lot residential planned unit development on a 1.46-acre parcel on Garfield Avenue. It was approved in August. Although neighbors appealed to the council, claiming the development of two-story duplexes was too dense for their rural-like street, the council denied the appeal, saying that the applicants followed all the necessary criteria. That issue inspired the council and planning staff to suggest changes to encourage neighborhood compatibility, because it was not the first time neighbors opposed a new development. But ACCESS is concerned the guidelines are too strict. For example, Hart said the ordinance might require that low-income housing units be one-story if neighboring houses are one-story. Two-story units are more affordable, she said. She also was concerned about not being able to match construction styles. "My funding sources won’t let me build in stucco," she said. But the planning staff said the changes aren’t about requiring identical structures be built in neighborhoods, just that they "fit." "I think you’re interpretation of the language is too strict," said Mark Gallagher, Medford senior planner. " ‘Compatible with’ is still pretty broad." The planning staff pointed out that the requirements are subjective and it’s going to be up to the planning commission to make a call on what’s compatible. Planning Commissioner Bob Tull said adding detail to the code allows the commission to protect the feel of an existing neighborhood, but it’s not about keeping developments out. He said the commission is committed to increasing the city’s housing density. Gallagher said it’s hard to define what fits, but flags start going up when something really doesn’t. "I think it’s maybe not as much compatibility as incompatibility," he said. The council agreed to consider the ordinance in a public hearing during a future meeting. Infill can fit with surroundings Many changes are proposed to make infill developments fit in their surroundings. Here are some of them: Setbacks (the buffer from neighboring properties and streets, for instance), building heights and massing of buildings similar to adjacent neighborhoods. Exterior construction materials similar to or compatible with adjacent neighborhoods. Balconies and windows screened with landscaping or placed to maintain privacy of adjacent homes. Existing neighborhoods protected from glare, noise and sight impacts. For more information, contact the Medford Planning Department, 774-2380. 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