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73 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 4, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2004 City panel approves Wal-Mart Supercenter Editor’s note: Due to a technical error, this story did not appear on the Mail Tribune’s Web site on Saturday. By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune The world’s largest retailer will build Medford’s largest retail store, if a Medford commission’s decision sticks. The Site Plan and Architecture Commission supported plans for the 206,533-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter at the Miles Field site in a 6-1 vote Friday. Chairman Jon Elliott voted against the plans, saying he had some problems with the size and appearance. "I just can’t figure out why they want to build a single story warehouse and add some gables to it and call it good," he said. At least one commissioner believes opponents will appeal the decision to the City Council. Regardless, the council will have to give final approval to the plans. Advertisement "It’s gonna get left up to appeal anyway," said Commissioner Norm Nelson. The public hearing was a continuation of a Feb. 6 meeting, during which the commission expressed several concerns. Wal-Mart representatives had asked for more time to modify plans, which they presented Friday. Commission members had been particularly concerned with the superstore’s back side, which would essentially be a solid concrete block wall along Highway 99 between the National Guard Armory and Rogue Federal Credit Union. The commission was also concerned about the appearance of freight storage containers and pallets along the back side. The modified proposal includes canopy treatments and architectural additions to visually break up the building’s appearance, as well as an eight- to 10-foot wall and trees to provide screening of storage containers. Designers also added a stock room to cut down on the need for outdoor storage containers. Friday’s meeting was a calmer version of the Feb. 6 meeting with around 75 people attending — about half the size of February’s crowd. At the February meeting, emotions ran high and the chairman did not let some people finish their testimony, claiming they were getting off track. Three Medford police officers stood at the door during Friday’s meeting, but public comments were succinct and the chairman didn’t interrupt citizens at the podium. Medford resident Christine Lachner questioned the use of storage containers at the back side of the store. "What would happen if on my front lawn I built a whole bunch of sheds and containers?" she said. Sheri Sherman, "a third generation Rogue Valley-an" said she likes the look of the proposed wall and vegetation in the modified plan. "I’m very, very pleased with the architects and what they have done," she said. Several residents objected to the size of the building. During his rebuttal, Greg Hathaway, Wal-Mart’s attorney from Portland, said the building is big, but they spent a lot of time coming up with an attractive design that fit the area. "We think it provides an appropriate monument, if you will, as an entry to this community," Hathaway said. The hearing closed and there was a brief discussion before the vote. "At this time I’m barely in agreement with what they’ve submitted to us today," said Commissioner Norm Nelson. "I have a real problem with large buildings. "There’s nothing that says that I can, as a commissioner, vote against a large building." But Elliott said even the modified plans weren’t enough for him. "I think we still haven’t figured out how the back of the this building is going to work out," said Elliott. "I think all the problems of this site would be solved with a two-story store," he said. "It cuts the footprint by half in one fell swoop." Medford resident John Statler, who had testified about wanting a more visually exciting structure, said he was disappointed with the decision. "I really hope this is the last major failure for the planning processes for the city of Medford," he said. City staff will prepare a final report which will come back to the commission for a final vote at their April 2 meeting. It will then go before the City Council, which will review the decision made by the commission. The final public hearing on the topic was at Friday’s meeting, unless the decision is appealed. Wendy Siporen, representative of Citizens for Responsible Development and a Talent City Council member, said it was too soon to say whether she would appeal the decision. "We can’t appeal it until they approve it," she said. 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 3 WEEKS FREE! 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