Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 26, 2005 Medford earmarks growth areas for next half century By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford wants to add nearly 4,600 acres to its urban growth boundary in the next 40 to 60 years to accommodate an additional 90,500 residents. The largest areas targeted for inclusion are adjacent to the current boundaries in north, northeast and southeast Medford. The addition of the 4,594 acres would allow the city to grow to a total population of 160,500, planners said. The Medford City Council and Planning Commission developed the draft proposal after five years of considering acreage around Medford’s edge. The plan, which is scheduled to be finalized by the council at its Sept. 1 meeting, next goes to a Regional Problem Solving committee, along with plans of six other cities in the Rogue Valley, for approval. Among the land the city wants to include for future growth are some undeveloped rural parcels south of the Rogue Valley Manor and just east of Interstate 5. Advertisement The city of Phoenix wants the same parcels. Mark Gallagher, principal planner with the city of Medford, told the Medford City Council during Thursday’s study session that representatives of the two cities will meet to reach an agreement. "Hopefully we can kind of iron it out sooner rather than later," said Gallagher. The property between Medford and Phoenix is in what was once identified as the "buffer zone" between the two cities, but Gallagher said that isn’t expected to be an issue. Mayor Gary Wheeler asked about plans for Hillcrest Orchard, the 250-acre pear orchard and vineyard on Hillcrest Road, which is proposed to be included in the future growth area. "We would anticipate that to be primarily residential development," said Gallagher, adding that the family plans to keep some of the land as agricultural. Councilwoman Claudette Moore asked about the permanence of the city’s growth plan. "Are we bound once we submit this or can we go back and tweak it?" she asked. "There is certainly going to be an amendment process for this, possibly on a five-year interval," said Gallagher. In a telephone interview, Michael Cavallaro, executive director of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, said the process of far from over. He said the next steps will be deliberations by the Regional Problem Solving policy committee, followed by public hearings held by the cities and Jackson County and a review by the state Land Conservation Development Commission. He said, pending LCDC’s approval, the cities would adopt the growth areas into their comprehensive plans, a process he guessed is still 18 months to two years out. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Medford earmarks growth areas for next half century ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s