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Creek border worries neighbors A few offer ideas to make it work By JIM DAVIS Medford homeowners who live along creeks expressed more worries Thursday night about a city ordinance establishing a protected habitat surrounding fish-bearing stream banks and wetlands. Speaking at a public hearing before the Medford Planning Commission, neighbor after neighbor told of fears ranging from lowered property values to limits on what they could do with their land. "We're talking about the possibility that this (setback) could come into my property 20 feet," said Bob Schakenberg of Medford. "It could keep me from putting in a patio or a gazebo or keep the next homeowner from adding a swimming pool." The hearing actually began on Aug. 14, but commissioners didn't get to the issue until late that night and they wanted other homeowners to have a chance to speak. More than 20 people took advantage of Thursday's portion of the hearing. The riparian corridor ordinance is a state requirement responding to the Endangered Species Act listing salmon and steelhead as threatened species in Southern Oregon. Larson, Bear and Lone Pine creeks downstream from Table Rock Road would be affected by the ordinance. The 50-foot corridor would extend from each creek bank. The Planning Commission will review the matter during a study session. It will forward an advisory vote to the Medford City Council, which is expected to take up the issue in November. City staff members said the law would not prevent any activity on the properties -- such as fertilizing lawns -- if it's already being done. It would, however, bar construction within the zone of new structures, including decks and fences. Jonna and Ken Sharpe are concerned because they are having a home built on a lot next to Lone Pine Creek and their home won't be finished until December. "Next year, we will want to put in patios and fences," Ken Sharpe said after leaving the hearing. "Are we going to be able to do that?" Jonna Sharpe asked. Dwane Tejcka of Medford said Lone Pine Creek borders two sides of his property. He said a 50-foot setback would come into his home, which was built in 1900. "I don't see how 100 years later any body or commission can come in and take half of it," Tejcka said. Kathy Helmer of Medford said she supported the ordinance because it is the first step in protecting residents, their children and their pets. But she said the homeowners have a legitimate worry about the ordinance's effect on them. She suggested the city start an "urban stream restoration program," to rebuild stream banks and replant creek areas. "If we invest in the streams and stream restoration, it's also investing in their property," she said. Randy Jones, who is a partner with Medford developer Mike Mahar, said that not all parts of the creek are the same, and said the 50-foot setback may not be appropriate for all stretches of the creeks. He suggested that the Planning Commission appoint a subcommittee to study the issue even further. "I think we can solve this and we can take something to the City Council that they would be proud of passing," Jones said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA