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Ordinances prompt a deluge of calls By Buffy Pollock CENTRAL POINT � Two proposed ordinances regulating trees and sheds have the phone ringing off the hook at the Planning Department. "Everybody�s called," said planning technician Matt Samitore. "I almost lost my voice because I kept explaining everything over and over." Samitore said he was bombarded with phone calls just days after more than 4,000 notices were mailed with utility bills informing residents of four proposed ordinances. Most of the calls concerned two ordinances governing trees and accessory buildings; the other ordinances relate to the Bear Creek Greenway and cell towers. The City Council plans to review the ordinances at a Feb. 20 study session and hear public input Feb. 22. The tree ordinance is designed to protect old trees and requires developers to plant trees in new subdivisions. "Subdivisions were being built with no trees and it looked really ugly," Samitore said. "Just a lot of concrete." The ordinance includes a recommended list of trees to plant. A number of residents called to see what would be done about pre-existing trees not on the list. "It�s just recommended," Samitore said. "We aren�t going to make anyone tear down their trees. It�s private property and we don�t want to meddle with that." The accessory structure ordinance would prohibit detached structures such as sheds from within three feet of property lines and impose a maximum height of 25 feet. The ordinance also would prohibit tarp-like canopies in front of houses. The ordinance was crafted in response to complaints from some residents who said their neighbors were putting up parking canopies for boats in front of their garages and parking their cars on the street. Concerned shed owners made many of the calls flooding the Planning Department, Samitore said. Pre-existing structures would be grandfathered in as long as they meet current codes, Samitore said. The Bear Creek Greenway ordinance was initiated by Jackson County to establish uniform rules among towns along the greenway. The fourth ordinance regulates locations of new cell towers to the area surrounding the Interstate 5 interchange and Pine Street. Samitore said the ordinances would likely affect property values in a positive way, if at all. "None of these ordinances are going to negatively affect property values," he said. "They�re going to beautify the city, if nothing else." More information on the four proposed ordinances can be found on the city Web site at www.ci.central-point.or.us . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.