Document text
Outward bound With less land in Medford available for new houses, outlying towns are growing more By MELISSA MARTIN Mail Tribune Medford's lack of available land for new homes reined in recent city growth, yet spurred growth in neighboring Central Point and Eagle Point, Medford's building director said. "It's been a pent-up demand," Chris Reising, director of the city's building safety department, told the Medford City Council during a recent study session. Medford permits for new single-family homes dropped from 520 in 1998 to 326 last year, Reising said. The city collected $1.07 million in building permit fees last year, down from $1.25 million in 1998. In Central Point, however, new-home permits rose from 171 to 1998 to 250 last year. And Eagle Point issued 98 in 1998, compared to 193 last year. "The biggest issue was land availability," Reising said, comparing Central Point land prices of $10,000 to $15,000 an acre to Medford's $50,000 to $60,000 an acre. Medford may be issuing fewer building permits for new homes, but the earth is still turning. An estimated 850 lots of all categories - stick-built homes, manufactured homes, apartments, duplexes or townhouses - are ready for construction or working their way through the planning process, Reising said. "The growth in outlying areas is still going to create a demand for services in Medford so there is an increase in retail and commercial space," Reising said. People buying new homes in Central Point and Eagle Point still drive to Medford for jobs, shopping and entertainment, he said. "Most of those people prefer to live in Medford," Reising said. Reising listed several reasons for Medford's popularity - it's an attractive, well-planned community, has excellent police, fire and emergency services, has two major medical centers, has well-maintained infrastructure and has excellent city services provided by and motivated by well-trained staff. His information came from interviews with developers and surveys of residents collected during the city's neighborhood walk program. In a Power Point presentation to the City Council, Reising showed photos of some of the new subdivisions going up in Medford. The developments are at various stages, some with homes already framed and some with only utilities and streets completed. Some of those highlighted: Orchard Meadows subdivision, 25 lots at Cunningham Avenue and Orchard Home Drive. Ish Ranch Estates, 104 multiple-family units near Ross Lane. Maple Park Terrace, 11 homes starting at $135,000 and three duplexes in the $235,000 price range on Maple Park Drive off of Ross Lane. Northwest Meadows, 45 lots near Ross Lane. Shafer Village subdivision, 16 lots near Shafer Lane. Elk Creek Estates, 89 lots near Lozier and Shafer lanes. Homes will range from $139,000 to $170,000 for 1,300 to 1,800 square feet. Kerrisdale Ridge, 32 lots across from Lone Pine School. Price ranges from $250,000 to $500,000. Edgewater Estates 19 homes on Springbrook behind North Medford High School. Homes will sell for $160,000 to $200,000. Summerfield at Southeast Park, 218 lots on 66 acres at North Phoenix Road and Cherry Lane. The subdivision will be built in six phases, beginning with 35 homes this year in the $200,000 price range. Greyson Heights subdivision, 51 lots near Hillcrest Drive. Graeagle Estates, 23 lots near Cherry Lane. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.