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Jacksonville preserves mining-era feel By MEG LANDERS JACKSONVILLE - The city took the final step in a two-year process which will determine how it will look in the next five, 10 and 15 years. The City Council made final changes Tuesday on Title 18, a revision of the Jacksonville municipal code. "We've completed our review process for a final draft and we're ready to go," said council member Bill Leep, chairman of the Planning Commission. Initiated by the Historical and Architectural Review Commission, Title 18 spells out historic and design regulations for new construction and remodeling within the city limits. Title 17, approved by the council in January, was developed by the planning commission to modify the city's zoning regulations, and directs such things as architectural design and building location. The two amendments update the city's comprehensive plan. The modified code is designed to preserve the feel of the gold mining-era community. "It lends to the ambiance of the town by maintaining its historical character," said Leep. "It's really the code that governs how we look." Including restrictions ranging from setbacks of buildings and use of materials to fencing and landscaping requirements, the goal of Title 18 is to maintain the integrity of the historic tradition of the town and ensure that new development is compatible. The city's municipal code formerly included vague language, said City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen. "We're trying to make the code a little more objective," he said. In some areas, Title 18 will relax restrictions, says Wyntergreen. "There was a landscape plan required for every home," he said. Now the code requires a plan for only commercial and multi-family zones, and homes in the historic zone. City staff will make the recommended changes to Titles 17 and 18, which will be presented at a future council meeting for adoption. "Part of the residential quality and the livability and the value of the land is spawned by those ordinances we've created and tried to implement," said Leep. "That creates the visual continuity that creates the attractiveness of the town." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected]. Council refers urban renewal agency to voters, cancels earlier ordinance After receiving a petition requesting the issue be brought to the voters, the Jacksonville City Council rescinded its November ordinance forming an urban renewal agency. The ordinance was a necessary step toward creating an urban renewal district, in which assessed values are frozen for a 20-year period. Taxes on property values above the frozen level are used for projects to enhance property within the district. Some of the projects under consideration were upgrading storm drains, repairing deteriorating historic city-owned properties, rehabilitating the Britt Gardens and upgrading much of the city's infrastructure and public facilities. Carol Knapp, chairwoman of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Jacksonville Core Enhancement Plan, was chief petitioner in the effort to bring the ordinance to a public vote. She cited concerns that an urban renewal district takes away tax money that would have gone to Jacksonville, Jackson County, the school district, Rogue Community College and more. Knapp proposes financing projects through a bond instead. City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said the council wants to take another look at the issue and may put it up for a vote on the May ballot. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.