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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 23, 2007 Big-box parameters Medford is still talking about how to place size limits on retail businesses By Meg Landers Mail Tribune When it comes to building giant retail structures, the Medford City Council is still talking about where it wants to draw some lines. More than three years after city officials first tried to set some limits on big-box stores, council members talked again Thursday about what they would like to see in an ordinance. The council stopped short of limiting the size of such stores, but agreed with staff's recommendations for the kinds of materials and architectural features that could be used to build them. They also agreed with staff proposals to require a public plaza and pedestrian walkways for buildings that exceed a 25,000-square-foot footprint. The council made no final decision on the ordinance. Once an ordinance is approved it will take 98 days to take effect to comply with requirements to notify state agencies. Council members agreed with planning staff that any ordinance should give the city tools to ensure that buildings are compatible with their surroundings and meet certain aesthetic standards. Advertisement The council also asked staff to provide information about how other communities establish "re-use provisions," or conditions that would take effect if a big box were to be vacated. Thursday's work session was the latest chapter in a story that began in July 2003, when the council called an emergency meeting to try to impose restrictions on big-box stores before Wal-Mart submitted an application to build a 207,000-square-foot Supercenter. The retail giant announced it would close its store in Talent when the Medford Supercenter opened, and council members expressed concerns about that vacancy, as well as the possibility that Wal-Mart might one day vacate its Medford building. Wal-Mart's application came in before regulations could be changed. The council formed a committee in 2004 to write an ordinance regulating large retail buildings. The planning department presented a draft ordinance in June, and discussions about refining the ordinance have continued. Councilman Jim Kuntz said he would like to see a mechanism that would require the owner of a vacant building to maintain landscaping, lighting, and paint to prevent it from becoming an eyesore. Councilman Al Densmore said he was thinking about the future of such buildings, and wondering "how efficient the energy use is in something like this and how environmentally friendly it is." He said he would like to look at the total community payback as far as minimizing environmental impacts. Councilman Ben Truwe agreed. "Wouldn't it be lovely if you could encourage big-box builders to go up instead of out?" he said. Councilman John Statler said he had heard that some communities require big box retailers to study how their operation would affect other established businesses. He asked staff to bring back information on those studies. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary