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Developers say time is right to restart stalled subdivision Monday Oct 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM Greg Stiles Mail Tribune @GregMTBusiness A 35-lot, single-family residential subdivision known as Wilkshire Terrace in east Medford will go before the Medford Planning Commission Thursday, Oct. 13. Ashland resident Bill Barchet and Talbot Shelton of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, consolidated two open fields surrounded by residences on three sides into a 9.72-acre parcel. Nine years ago, the Planning Commission approved an 18-lot subdivision on 6.14 acres. But recession and other factors kept the project from going forward. "When we got it three years ago, the housing market and the whole economy was still very uncertain — and depressed, as a matter of fact," Barchet said. "We're anticipating this is the right time to move forward with a good project. It's almost overdue for something to happen in that area, but this is the time." Pending approval of the tentative plat, and subsequent submissions, Barchet hopes to begin work next spring. Canyon Avenue, Roberts Road, Voss Drive and Wilkshire Drive will all connect into the subdivision, which proposes two new streets — Hannah Lane and Wimbledon Way. Barchet anticipates a five-year build-out, with the first of three proposed phases involving 14 lots on the western side the parcel. "You always have to think about making things work cost-wise," Barchet said. "We don't want to flood the market with all 35 lots." Barchet, who has a real-estate firm in Ashland, envisions 1,700- to 2,300-square-foot houses in the subdivision. "This particular location will be of interest to families with children going to public schools, because it's almost exactly in between Lone Pine (Elementary) and North Medford High School and within walking distance of both." Although there are many entry points to Wilkshire Terrace, Barchet designed it so the neighborhood won't be a shortcut for drivers. "It seems the interest and demand for housing has picked up to the point where it could be a win for everybody," Barchet said. The commission will also consider a zone change, changing SFR-10 property to SFR-6 as part of a 22.34-acre residential subdivision proposed by Hayden Homes of Bend. The development is east of where Owen Drive presently ends and north of Cheltenham Way. In addition, Verizon Wireless seeks a conditional use permit to build a 114-foot communications tower on the southwest corner of Hillcrest Road and Fairview Drive, not far from the fifth hole at Rogue Valley Country Club. — Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31.