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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Young guns can register for deer hunt ... Medford City Council votes down residential pot-growing ban, will explore putting issue to voters ... 'My Secret Garden' claims top prize in GingerBread Jubilee ... Young guns can register for deer hunt ... Medford City Council votes down residential pot-growing ban, will explore putting issue to voters ... 'My Secret Garden' claims top prize in GingerBread Jubilee ... OUR VIEW Our View: Garage conversions should be allowed with conditions Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A proposed change in Medford's building code to allow homeowners to convert garages into living space makes sense. Many Medford garages have been converted over the years — many, it appears, before detailed building codes were in place. Others may have been done in defiance or ignorance of the rules. Either way, it's hard to see any harm, as long as any wiring and plumbing was done properly. The city's interest seems to be in preventing people from parking their vehicles on the street or blocking sidewalks, which are reasonable restrictions. Street parking in residential neighborhoods preferably should be for visitors as long as off-street parking is available to residents. Medford's code does not require covered parking, and many people use their garages for storage, leaving their vehicles in the driveway. As one resident profiled in Tuesday's paper asked, what difference does it make whether she uses her garage for storage or for living space, as long as there is no rule requiring covered parking? What difference, indeed? Homeowners whose property values are still recovering from the recession may not be in a position to sell and buy a larger house, but they can afford to turn a garage into an additional bedroom or family room. Adding living space can also help out if an adult child or an aging parent needs to move in. If the code is changed to accommodate these projects, homeowners will be more likely to secure building permits and have the work inspected, which protects them and their neighbors from substandard wiring, for instance, which could pose a fire hazard. The Planning Commission has recommended the change as long as the property has enough paved off-street parking for two vehicles without encroaching on sidewalks. That's reasonable, and the City Council should approve the proposal. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501