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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2004 Citizens’ panel will talk over Central Point Wal-Mart plan By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — The first in a series of meetings to decide the fate of a proposed 207,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter will be held Wednesday at the Jackson County Exposition Park. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee will deliberate one final time and make a recommendation about the store to the city Planning Commission. The Planning Commission plans to review the recommendation Thursday before making a decision on the project March 30. Wednesday’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Padgham Pavilion. It is open to the public, but further public comment about the project will not be allowed. Wal-Mart first proposed the store at the corner of East Pine Street and Hamrick Road nearly a year ago, but opposition has delayed the project. The project is a tough one to try to make predictions about, said Herb Farber, citizens advisory committee chairman. The committee will recommend whether a large regional shopping center will make a good match for the small town. Advertisement "There are some folks on the citizens’ advisory committee that I think agree with the opposition and some that don’t," said Farber, not indicating which side "the opposition" was. "So until we hash out all the information that’s been provided, I could not even begin to predict what will happen," he said. "What we’ll be giving is just a recommendation. It’s what we believe the people want and have come and testified about." Community Development Director Tom Humphrey also could not predict the recommendation that will be made Wednesday but said the result likely will be challenged. The Planning Commission has the final say on the project unless there is an appeal. In that case, the City Council also would weigh in. "It will probably be appealed to the City Council one way or another, and I think this is something the City Council wants to hear," said Humphrey. While the city has continued to address various concerns to see if the project can be modified for the site, some issues are more difficult than others, said Humphrey. "We’re working on traffic and environmental issues and possible mitigation measures � but you’ve got a potential regional shopping center surrounded by residential neighborhoods and that’s problematic," he said. "I’m not sure how you can mitigate that type of situation to the satisfaction of everyone." Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times