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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 12, 2006 Click image for larger view Some neighbors in southeast Medford are upset by the gleaming white spire that now rises above the LDS Church on Juanipero Way, but city officials say there were no violations committed in erecting the steeple. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Point of contention A white, legally built LDS church spire in Medford is safer than the old one, but its brightness offends some By Meg Landers Some neighbors are looking askance at a new church steeple, not because of its size, but because of its snowy white color. "It's a blight on the scenery," said Mitch Hardage, whose house in southeast Medford overlooks the replacement steeple erected last week. While city officials say the steeple is legal, neighbor John Newell disagrees, and said a public hearing should have been required before putting it up. "They've created an adverse impact that wasn't there before," he said. Advertisement Newell and Hardage hope to convince the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2900 Juanipero Way in Medford to tone down its vibrant ivory tower. The church has undergone a number of renovations, including a new fiberglass spire that, while actually a bit shorter than the old spire, is much more visible than the concrete tan steeple it replaced. "This is not a spiritual or religious issue at all — we love the church here," said Newell. But he added that if the church doesn't agree to paint it, the neighbors will fight the matter legally. City Planning Director Rob Scott said the church building doesn't violate any city regulations. Scott, who noted he's a member of the LDS congregation on Juanipero Way, said the church has a building permit to do some extensive seismic retrofitting to strengthen it in case of an earthquake. He said the church has a conditional use permit from 1967. "There's nothing in there about the building's color," he said. The architect has followed all of the rules, and any disagreement is for the neighbors to work out with the church, he said. "The city's not going to get involved in something like that," he said. The architect, Steve Ennis of Medford, said the decision to put up a white fiberglass steeple is strictly functional, because it doesn't need to be painted and repainted, which will be a cost savings to the church. "The idea is that we have a maintenance-free steeple," he said. The new feature is also safer than the old, he added, because the heavier concrete steeple, which rose above a sidewalk, was deemed unsafe in an earthquake. Not everyone in the neighborhood sees the new steeple as a problem — in fact, not even everyone in the Hardage household sees it as a problem. Shelly Hardage says she doesn't share the sentiment of her husband. "I really don't have an opinion about it," she said. "I am fine with it." She said that while she can see the steeple from her window, it doesn't bother her. "I wouldn't care if it was hot pink and purple and orange," she said. Kirk Waggener, a bishop in the church, declined to comment, saying any questions regarding the building should be directed to the local architect. "We don't have any input into that," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com