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SOU master plan wins faculty's thumbs-up By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- Members of the Southern Oregon University Faculty Senate gave their unanimous approval Monday to a broad-ranging master plan for how the campus could grow over the next 10 years. The plan includes new and renovated buildings, additional parking lots, changes and improvements to open space and a university district land-use zone opposite the campus along Siskiyou Boulevard. SOU President Stephen Reno called the plan a "work in progress" and said elements of the plan would not move ahead before being specifically approved and funded. The proposed university district zoning overlay potentially would allow the university to expand across the boulevard and could promote private development compatible with the needs of the students and university. Making the presentation to the Faculty Senate, physical plant director Bruce Moats said one potential example could be an assisted living facility run in collaboration with nursing students. As proposed, the district would extend from the corner of North Mountain Avenue and Iowa Street and stair-step south to the corner of Wightman Street and Siskiyou Boulevard. Major building projects in the master plan include an additional library building adjacent to the current library, a science building addition, six potential new academic buildings across Siskiyou Boulevard and renovations to many existing buildings. The corner of Ashland Street and Walker Avenue has been set aside for a combination media and convocation center along with a separate facility to house Jefferson Public Radio. The entire west side of Wightman Street from Lee Street to the existing family student housing is earmarked for potential parking and student housing. The area is currently mostly single-family homes. The report said the parking could be used to provide relief to the community from current on-street parking for sporting events. Other additional parking lots are tied to new building development. In addition, 350 more spaces could be gained by expanding the current South Mountain Avenue lot. Additional student housing is planned across Indiana Street from the current Cascade residence halls. Mixed-use student housing and retail or commercial space is proposed for two locations, one along the North side of Ashland Street and another across Siskiyou from the current Stevenson Union. Faculty "starter homes" are planned along the east side of Roca Street. The master plan, which has been a year in the making, is required by the state every 10 years in addition to an updated capital improvement plan forwarded to the Legislature every two years. It will be presented at a neighborhood briefing Jan. 18 and at a joint study session of the Ashland City Council and Planning Commission Jan. 25. It will then come back to the Planning Commission Feb. 8 and the City Council on Feb. 15 for final approval. Following are the scheduled discussions for SOU's proposed 10-year master plan: Neighborhood briefing, Jan. 18. Study session, Ashland City Council and Planning Commission, Nov. 25. Cable Access TV program, 7 p.m. Feb. 2. Ashland Planning Commission, Feb. 8. Ashland City Council, Feb. 15. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA