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MEDFORD Cedar Links developers drop commercial area Plans for former golf course call for 461 homes Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 4:53 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 4:53 PM » Social News Developers have dropped plans for commercial sites and multi-family and senior housing on the southern portion of a proposed 114-acre Cedar Links development and instead want to build only single-family homes. The changes proposed on a 45-acre portion of the project south of Cedar Links Drive will be discussed by the Medford Planning Commission at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28, at City Hall, 411 W. Eighth Street. Under the proposal, the total number of residential units would increase from 170 to 176 on the 45 acres. For the entire project, the total number of residences would be 461, which falls within the 285- to 547-unit range permitted under the zoning, which allows up to four units per acre, according to documents filed with the city. Cedar Investment Group LLC dropped the commercial and multi-family proposals after neighbors complained, and also because of changing market conditions. According to documents filed with the city, Cedar Investment has asked to remove 34 senior residential units from the project as well as 23,000 square feet of commercial space. The latest proposal seeks to remove 13 condominium units, 22 duplex units and 36 townhomes. Cedar Investment Group LLC is also asking the city to drop a requirement to build a pedestrian crossing on Cedar Links Drive. A 160-room congregate care facility for seniors and those with disabilities in the northern part of the Cedar Links property is still being proposed. One neighbor, Robert White, sent the city a letter on April 14, voicing concern that the project could worsen an already high water table in the area. “We believe the developer has not adequately addressed the drainage from the southwest corner of the development,” White wrote. “I hold the city liable for any damages to the surrounding homes from an increased water table.” The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Oregon Department of State Lands are reviewing the impacts on wetlands for the development proposed at the former golf course off Cedar Links Drive. A pond just north of Cedar Links Drive would be filled in as part of the proposed project. Some ponds could be retained or filled in, and new storm-retention ponds and wetlands would be created under the proposed development. The Corps took public comments on the project through Feb. 9. The Corps will likely develop a mitigation plan for the wetlands on the 2.38 acres being studied or a lesser amount, depending on whether the wetlands are determined to be a natural feature or man-made. The city of Medford has approved spending $1 million to create a 5.5-acre park on the west end of the former golf course. Plans for the development were first approved in 2006, and a 30-lot subdivision on part of the land already has been partially built out. Some of the existing paths formerly used for golf carts would be incorporated into the overall project. Neighbor Gary Edwards said he didn’t have any serious objections to the latest proposal other than he thought the lot sizes were too narrow at 65 feet. “It’s not too drastic of a change,” he said. “It’s such a big development that you wonder whether it is practical to have a small commercial area anyway.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 22, 2015 at 4:53 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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