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41 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds 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 Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 17, 2004 Council OKs Southeast Plan changes Disputes between developers and neighbors can be resolved by the plan’s advisory committee By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Robert Hutchins is concerned that the view from his property in southeast Medford will be compromised if the proposed village design for the Southeast Plan calls for buildings as tall as 85 feet. "They could impact the viewscape of the residential areas," said Stuart Foster, a Medford attorney representing Hutchins at Thursday’s Medford City Council meeting. "It could be a real eyesore because they’re going to be right on the horizon there," he said. The council, however, decided planners would work with property owners, and approved their proposed changes to the Medford Comprehensive Plan. Foster was one of a half-dozen people who spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting on the Southeast Plan. Advertisement From street locations and lot coverage to greenway plans and building heights, several changes to the plan were proposed and approved late Thursday. "This is a significant evening for many folks who have spent three years putting this together," said Planning Director Rob Scott. "It’s more than a plan. It’s a blueprint for a neighborhood." The Southeast Plan is designed to be a pedestrian-friendly community of about 10,000 residents on 1,000 acres east of North Phoenix Road, from the ridge above Cherry Lane south to Coal Mine Road. Planning for the community began more than 13 years ago and the plan document was adopted by the council in 1998. The council appointed the Southeast Plan Implementation Advisory Committee in 2001. Hank Snow, who owns property within the Southeast Plan area, traveled from his home in Roseburg to express his concerns about the location of a proposed street which would bisect his property. "It’s almost impossible to develop with this change," he told council. "You’ve taken the value right out of it." But Suzanne Myers, project manager and associate planner, said the street locations are just suggestions at this point. "The exact location of the street isn’t set," she said. Street layout, the impact on the city’s storm water management and compromised views were discussed by the council, which finally determined that the Southeast Plan Implementation Advisory Committee has already demonstrated ability to work with neighbors and property owners. "I’ve never seen such conscientious concern," said Councilman Bob Strosser, adding that he was confident the committee will be addressing all the issues as they arise. 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 © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers