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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers to RCC, jeers to juvenile justice ... Opinions mixed at marijuana town hall forum ... Rural Jackson County residents wary of pot 'gold rush' ... Our View: Cheers to RCC, jeers to juvenile justice ... Opinions mixed at marijuana town hall forum ... Rural Jackson County residents wary of pot 'gold rush' ... JOSEPHINE COUNTY Gravel mine proposal goes back to county commissioners Comment By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM Updated Oct 20, 2015 at 5:02 PM By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM Updated Oct 20, 2015 at 5:02 PM » Social News A long-running battle over a proposed gravel mine in Sunny Valley will continue after the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals sent the case back to Josephine County because of procedural errors. LUBA, meeting in Salem, ruled last week the county had erred by allowing new evidence after the close of record, which had the effect of not giving opponents an opportunity to respond. The Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved the mine in July 2014. The new evidence included a letter from the owner of a natural gas line that crosses the 212 acres where the mine is proposed by Sunny Valley Sand & Gravel. Potential damage to the gas line is one of several objections Sunny Valley residents have against the proposed mine; others included traffic problems, dust, noise, impact on wells and effects on fish-bearing Grave Creek and on wildlife. County officials warned that the LUBA decision was based on procedural errors, not the reasoning by the county Board of Commissioners. "The bottom line is, democracy works; sometimes it works real slowly," said Commissioner Keith Heck. "We'll have to meet and review whatever needs to be reviewed. These are simply procedural issues up for remand. It was nothing of substance." Neighbors were relieved at the LUBA decision. The appeal was filed by Sunny Valley residents Elizabeth and William Corcoran and Rogue Advocates, a nonprofit group focused on farm and forest land-use issues in Jackson and Josephine counties. "As a resident, we're encouraged that we're going to have another say," said Diane Getchell, who lives less than 1,000 feet from the proposed mine site. "We believe LUBA made the right decision. "This is not necessarily about mining, it's more of a spot zoning issue, the fact that only the commissioners can change the character of an area at the expense of 250 people for the benefit of one person's commercial operation." It was not immediately clear what effect the ruling would have on a signature drive asking voters to strike down the zoning ordinance. Getchell, one of the chief petitioners, said enough signatures have been collected to put it on the ballot. Andreas Blech of Sunny Valley Sand & Gravel attempted to challenge the ballot measure in court. The Daily Courier was unable to reach Blech for reaction to the LUBA decision. Now that LUBA has ruled, most likely the Board of Commissioners will have to craft a new ordinance. By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Oct. 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM Updated Oct 20, 2015 at 5:02 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501