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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 7, 2003 Concerns stall county building fees plan By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A proposal to increase planning fees stalled Wednesday when Jackson County commissioners pondered its potential harm to the construction industry. Bob Seldon, a Medford resident and Ashland Real Estate broker, told the commissioners, "This is a very important decision — there is no rush to judgment." The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County requested that commissioners postpone a decision until a committee of local business owners studies the plan. The county wants to charge a 1.6 percent fee on the value of any new construction to make the planning department more self-sufficient. Advertisement On a $100,000 house, the fee would add another $1,600 in permit costs. This fee and others would add up to $5,000 that would be paid to the county. In Ashland or Medford, the fees are $10,000, not counting sewer or water hookups. "You’re going to make it more difficult for a whole generation of young people to live in the county," said Greg Worthington of Covered Bridge Realty in Wimer. He also criticized the proposal because the county planning department has adopted its budget anticipating the fees would be adopted. Brad Hicks, executive director of the chamber, said his organization didn’t have specific problems with the plan, other than wanting to review it more carefully. However he did say after the commissioners meeting, "It’s no secret we’re in the middle of a relatively slow economic period. We don’t want to impede business." Commissioner Jack Walker said the construction industry shouldn’t bear the burden of costs associated with the planning department. He also said it was unfair to charge a 1.6 percent rate for a $500,000 home as well as a $100,000 home, since the planning work is about the same. Wimer resident Rocky Wardle criticized the cost of the extensive study commissioned by the county that recommended the fee amount. "We paid $46,000 for misinformation," he said. The county failed to calculate cost savings from streamlining changes to the Land Development Ordinance that should make the planning department run smoother, he said. "You’re circumventing the law in some way — I don’t know how it’s being done," said Wardle. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times