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Ashland appeals Perozzi approval Stalled negotiations on trail access lead city to take 40-acre subdivision plan back to Jackson County By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Because negotiations on trail access have stalled, the city plans to appeal Jackson County's approval of a subdivision for development of a 40-acre parcel adjacent to city limits. County commissioners would hear the appeal. "The city's real concern is developing some public access through the property," said Nolte. "We felt by keeping the negotiation open through this land use planning action, we might be able to come to some agreement with the developers." Southern Oregon University sold the land, known as the Perozzi property, to Barbara Coffman for $890,000 in June. The sale was contingent on the county's approval for the subdivision. SOU also requested that Coffman negotiate in good faith with the city for trail access. The site has been used by SOU as a field laboratory and by hikers going to the city's Siskiyou Mountain Park to the south. A county official OK'd the plans Sept. 25, allowing Coffman and Michael Cecil to develop seven, five-acre sites on the property. City standards for fire hazard and hillside development were incorporated in the site's plan. Trail access on the property's west side is the reason for the appeal, according to Cecil. He said an agreement is needed with neighboring property owner John Maurer and others for access across their property. "Unless all the neighbors agree ... the trail from our standpoint is moot," said Cecil. "At the moment there's nothing for us to bargain with because the trail won't go anywhere. "If the city came to us in the next few weeks and said 'We have all this worked out with the neighbors'... then we would consider that." Neighbors west of the proposed trail held a meeting recently to voice concerns about trespass and fire danger. About a dozen people agreed they didn't want the trail in the proposed location, according to Cecil. "We'd like to have a win-win situation for all parties concerned," said property owner Karen Cowger. "That would include the hikers. I'm an avid hiker." Cowger said she and her husband, Bill, would allow a trail along the boundary line between her property and that of Maurer. Access would also need to be obtained from property owner Dennis Sobolik, whose land is situated south of the parcels owned by Maurer and Cowger. "There are two or three potential schemes to get access into that area," said parks and recreation Commissioner Jim Lewis. "We will make an attempt to work with the owners and get the easements." Coffman and Cecil withdrew a proposal to the city for the trail development in mid-September. The agreement would have given the city a five-acre conservation easement for the trail. The city would have been required to erect fences, maintain the land to reduce wildfire risks, contribute to a homeowner's association annually and provide for other property maintenance. County commissioners must hear the appeal within 30 days of filing, according to Cecil. "We'd like to proceed as soon as we can," said Cecil. "We have a number of people that are interested in the lots." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.