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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 15, 2006 Seven square miles near Ashland would be biggest Measure 37 claim on record By Damian Mann Mail Tribune A tract of land larger than the city of Ashland could become the biggest Measure 37 claim ever approved in Oregon. Owned under the Blanche W. Dauenhauer Trust, the eight tax lots are on Dead Indian Memorial Road near Shale City Road and together add up to 4,300 acres, or about seven square miles. "As far as I know that would be the biggest one," said Dave Hunnicutt of Oregonians in Action, the property rights group that authored Measure 37. Jackson County commissioners will likely make a decision on the claim within the next month. According to the claim filed with the county, the Dauenhauer family hasn't indicated what it wants to do with the property, except to waive land-use regulations that have been created since the 1961 date of acquisition. Advertisement The claim says the monetary loss resulting from land-use regulations has diminished the value of the property by almost $14 million. Ashland real estate broker John Archer, an agent for the Dauenhauers, said he didn't want to comment on the claim, adding, "I don't know what his plans are." Previously Joseph Dauenhauer has wanted to start a quarry operation on part of the property, but has met with stiff opposition from neighbors. Dauenhauer could not be reached for comment Friday. Under Measure 37, approved by 61 percent of voters in November 2004, government agencies must remove offending land-use regulations within six months of receiving a claim or pay the property owner compensation for lost value. Medford attorney Mark Bartholomew, who represented neighbors opposed to Dauenhauer's proposed quarry operation, said approval of the claim is just one step in a very long process. "They have to come back with substantive plans," he said. "And, that's where the rubber meets the road." One of the neighbors who opposed Dauenhauer's proposal, Laurel Miller, said of the claim, "I'm not really surprised. It was just a question of when it was going to happen." She said she will have to analyze what Dauenhauer plans to do with the property before she makes any decisions about a course of action. Gilmour said that even if the claim is approved, the land will likely face other obstacles that could prevent development. "It's on a road that has access issues," he said of the twisting route. "Just think of the traffic on that windy road." In March, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals rejected Dauenhauer's bid for an aggregate pit on the property because of potential traffic problems. Hunnicutt said that despite several large claims resulting from Measure 37, the total number of claims so far would represent just one-third of 1 percent of the state land mass. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com