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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 14, 2005 Medford, Phoenix seek to avoid turf war Both cities have their eyes on 150 acres near the Rogue Valley Manor By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A compromise that might head off a turf war with the city of Phoenix will be discussed by the Medford City Council Thursday. At issue are 90 acres owned by Harry & David Holdings Inc. and 60 acres owned by Michael Mahar and John Duke. The land, which has been proposed to be zoned light industrial, is south of the new golf course at the Rogue Valley Manor and lies outside both cities’ urban growth boundaries. The landowners have asked Medford officials to consider including their properties in the city’s future growth areas. However, the city of Phoenix wants the same properties included within its future boundaries. The Medford City Council will hold a study session to discuss the issue at 5:45 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, conference room 340, 411 W. 8th St. A memo from Medford City Manager Mike Dyal to the City Council indicated that both Harry & David and Mahar have rebuffed efforts by the city of Phoenix to include the properties within its future growth area. Advertisement Dyal’s memo said if a deal isn’t reached Phoenix could threaten to withdraw from a regional land planning process in its dispute over the land. In a proposed compromise, the 150 acres would be included in Medford’s urban-growth boundary and Phoenix would get a separate 20-acre parcel. Medford also would be responsible for future infrastructure costs, including a portion of the costs of a future freeway overpass at South Stage Road. Leigh Johnson, director of government relations at Harry & David, said including the land in Medford’s future growth area appears to be the most logical move, but added, "A lot of it depends on the action by the Medford council." Johnson said the 90-acre parcel is currently fallow. He said it made sense for another 20-acre parcel owned by Harry & David to be within the growth areas of Phoenix since the property sits just to the west of that city. In the compromise proposal, Harry & David and Mahar, a local land developer, asked Medford to commit money from future development fees on the 150 acres to help pay for a freeway overpass at South Stage Road. As part of the compromise, they also want Jackson County to agree to the expansion of future growth areas of the two cities. If the deal is accepted, all parties would agree to support a "South Valley Employment District" to create an employment hub south of Medford. Medford Planning Director Rob Scott said the city has been looking at ways to diversify its employment base, so that it isn’t concentrated mostly to the north. "That has always been part of our vision," he said. "We didn’t want to put all our eggs in one basket." Phoenix Mayor Vicki Bear said she didn’t want to comment on a compromise that she hadn’t reviewed yet. Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour said he hopes that friction over the area of interest by both Medford and Phoenix doesn’t imperil an ongoing regional process to better plan for growth in Jackson County. "If any one jurisdiction drops out, then six years of work goes away," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Medford, Phoenix seek to avoid turf war ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s