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58 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 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 How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People 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 September 1, 2004 DeBoers might build addition, not big house ASHLAND — Sid and Karen DeBoer want peace, so they’ve scaled back plans for a huge new home on their property, opting instead for a simple addition on the side of their existing garage. "We have to live in this community," said DeBoer, owner of Medford-based Lithia Motors Inc., one of the nation’s largest retail auto dealership chains. "I don’t like being picked on and hated. I don’t think anyone does." But he’s also making it clear. If this plan turns controversial, he is not backing down. "This alternate requires a conditional use permit and that is what we are seeking," he said. "But if anyone appeals it or fools with it, we’re building the big house. We have the permit to build that house." Despite winning the City Council’s approval to build an 11,000-square-foot home on an adjacent property, DeBoer recently approached the historic commission about a simple remodel and addition to his existing home. The addition would increase the size of the house on 234 Vista St. from 3,178 square feet to 4,061-square feet — the limit for house sizes in the historic district — by adding on to the garage. Advertisement "Karen and I have worked hard with the city to meet the exact requirements," DeBoer said. "All we need is a conditional use permit; we don’t need a variance. We are not asking for special privileges. We will meet the new ordinance that allows for a conditional use permit." Although design constraints required making it much larger than they needed, DeBoer still thinks the plans already approved by the city would make a nice house with a great view. But the project was fiercely opposed by some — largely because of its size — and strongly supported by others in several public hearings before the planning commission and the City Council. The new process means starting over for the DeBoers. The redesign is under way and will be ready to present to the city soon. But DeBoer will not complete the plans until he knows he can get a permit. The redesign will involve taking out a swimming pool and building a new one and possibly some additional buildings on one acre of land on the property. "And we are still going to tear down the old house (at 265 Glenview Drive)," he said. "It is ugly and out of place and is an eyesore." 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 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