Rogue Advocates - Latest Blog Entries

Farms, Forests & Town: Preserving our Regional Characer

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:14:00 -0500

Rogue Advocates Appeals Jackson County's Decision on Mt. View Paving

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:54:00 -0500

Rogue Advocates filed appeals today of Jackson County’s March 25th approval of Mountain View Paving’s application for non-conforming use and floodplain development permits.

Mountain View Paving has been operating an industrial facility on land zoned Rural Residential and within the Talent urban growth boundary without any land use permits for over twelve years. Mountain View Paving is a needed industry, but in this instance, it is the right business in the wrong place. The operation is located in the Bear Creek floodplain adjacent to Talent city limits and over 150 senior residences are directly impacted by toxic fumes, dust and noise.

Executive Director Melissa Matthewson explained, “The land use laws that regulate this industry are in place for a reason. They safeguard public health and safety and minimize costly conflicts for everyone’s benefit, including business interests. This issue has been simmering for a long time and the county’s unwillingness to enforce land use safeguards for so long is allowing this problem to boil over. The county should have upheld the regulations a long time ago and it should certainly do it now. The purpose of our appeal is to see that the County enforces their own rules.”

The County has conveniently ignored the industrial use on residential zoned property since the first application for nonconforming use in 2001 was withdrawn. A second nonconforming use application ten years later churned through the planning review system for another year before it was also withdrawn. The County has now issued a preliminary decision to grandfather the asphalt plant use forever, and has chosen not to look back more than ten years as enough verifiable proof of continuous use to make this decision.

Rogue Advocates Board President Steve Rouse commented that, “the County is setting a very low bar—if folks can slide under the radar for ten years, they may be allowed to avoid zoning safeguards in the future. Rogue Advocates prefers to work collaboratively with the County to implement land use policy but in this case the precedence of their decision is unacceptable.”

Rogue Advocates has been working closely with their Talent members and the retirement community located adjacent to Mountain View Paving to empower them in the land use process. The City of Talent also requested the city’s more conservative ordinances for land within the Urban Growth Boundary be applied by the County. Talent's request was rejected by the County in their decision and the city may also file an appeal.

Rogue Advocates Hires New Executive Director

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:28:00 -0600

Rogue Advocates is happy to announce that Melissa Matthewson has joined the organization to further develop the organization’s capacity and resources. Melissa Matthewson comes with a wealth of experience to the organization, having spent the last five years working for Oregon State University. Melissa started the OSU Small Farms Program and nurtured the Farms Program from one to the current five staff members. She also brings experience working for a national nonprofit overseeing fundraising, outreach, board development, event coordination and will expand similar programs for Rogue Advocates. Melissa is also a co-owner of Barking Moon Farm, a local certified organic vegetable farm.

Melissa joins Rogue Advocates to build upon Rogue Advocate’s work in land use advocacy and education. She will develop funding resources and expand their mission of educating and involving citizens in advocating for appropriate land use in Jackson and Josephine counties. Melissa comments, “I am excited to start a new challenge with Rogue Advocates and look forward to working with the Board of Directors to further the mission of the organization. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected group that prides itself on its land use advocacy work.”

Steve Rouse, Rogue Advocate’s President said, “Melissa brings great energy, expertise, and experience to grow our organization’s development and participation in land use policy in Southern Oregon.”

Do subdivisions designed for conservation actually help wildlife?

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:21:00 -0500

From the May 28, 2012 issue High Country News

by Emily Wortman-Wunder

For millennia, Colorado's Yampa River Valley has followed the rhythms of wildlife mating and migration, the habits of elk and grouse and bear. The arrival of ranching in the 1880s altered the pattern a little, but radical change didn't occur until the last half of the 20th century. That's when the big ranches began to be broken up into small ranchettes and vacation-home lots, the kind of low-density exurban sprawl responsible for habitat fragmentation across the West.

Desperate to preserve Routt County's character, in the mid-1990s its commissioners fought to pass Land Preservation Subdivision ordinances, or LPS. It was an early form of conservation development, an increasingly popular land-planning tool that develops part of a property to fund the preservation of the rest.

Conservation development is usually regulated at the county level. Ordinances encourage developers to cluster houses on a portion of land and leave 40 to 80 percent of it as open space, and often give a "density bonus" for such clustering, allowing up to 70 percent more housing units per project.

Such developments typically sell well and command premium prices. They feel in touch with an agricultural past, where people can live within walking distance of hiking trails and fishing ponds. And they've found favor across the West: The passage of such ordinances took off in the '90s and has more than doubled in the last decade.

They seem to offer a way for mountain communities to have it all. A 2011 study estimated that conservation development has preserved nearly 10 million acres across the U.S. since the 1960s. But questions about its effectiveness remain: Is that open space really helping to maintain biodiversity?

"The key to integrating nature and urban growth is scale," says Armando Carbonell, chair of the Department of Planning and Urban Form at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Mass. Local land planners and developers, he says, need to understand both the ecosystem context and the ecological consequences of their actions.

Sarah Reed, a conservation biologist with Colorado State University and the Wildlife Conservation Society, co-founded the Center for Conservation Development at CSU in fall 2010 to assess county development choices and their ecological consequences.

In 2010, Reed and her coworkers examined land-planning ordinances in all 414 counties of the 11 Western states. While over a third of the counties had regulations that promoted some form of conservation development, many did so in ways unlikely to preserve critical wildlife habitat or other natural values. Few promoted land stewardship, or ensured that open space parcels were contiguous within or among developments.

One of the biggest issues, Reed concluded, is the quality and type of data used to create the conservation design. Her preliminary results show that only 13 percent of the West's conservation development ordinances mandate a study of the property's ecological attributes. "There's no reason to believe that (the land that) got protected is any better than what got developed," Reed says. In contrast, she points to Routt County, which specifically requires developers to identify and avoid "Critical Habitat of Threatened and/or Endangered species, including nesting, roosting, mating, birthing and feeding areas."

Then there's the question of who manages the conserved land once the houses are built. Reed found that few ordinances require any sort of post-development oversight: That's left up to homeowner associations. Some make weed control, wildfire reduction, habitat restoration and riparian management a priority and set up funding; others don't. And there are other flaws; Wyoming and Colorado, in particular, are notorious for allowing reserved land to be reopened for development after 65 and 40 years, respectively.

Another problem is lot size. In 2011, Reed examined 372 conservation developments in Colorado and found that the average total size of a single project was 501 acres, with varying amounts set aside as open space, mostly in small scattered parcels. A 2006 study of developments near Boulder with open-space parcels ranging in size from 200 to 500 acres found that they were no different in terms of wildlife variety than traditional exurban sprawl.

"We should have been seeing vesper sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, the specialized species of conservation interest," says ecologist Buffy Lenth, the study's lead author. Instead, she and her coworkers saw starlings, grackles and robins, the same old generalist species and invasives that characterize the fragmented habitat of traditional development. The reason was not entirely clear. Lenth suspected heavy use of the open space by residents and their pets might be a factor, along with its small size and a design intended to maximize views rather than conservation.

All of these issues contribute to a growing sense that clustered development is not living up to its promise. "I've watched the Land Preservation Subdivision program as it was developed and used over the years, and from a habitat preservation standpoint, it's not great," says Jim Haskins, wildlife manager with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Steamboat Springs office in Routt County.

Marabou Ranch, one of the newest and most upscale LPS developments in Routt County, offers hints as to where the problems might lie. The 1,717-acre subdivision five miles west of Steamboat Springs fulfills Routt County's guidelines to the letter and circumvents many, but not all, of the issues identified by Reed. It has reserved 1,325 acres as open space; a lot map in the sales office marks the location of a lek site for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and an elk-calving area, both of which are off-limits to development and subject to seasonal closure. A resident manager is responsible for stewardship. But 62 homesites are scattered throughout the site; the open space, though large, is fragmented, with lots of edges. The sensitive habitat is located at the edges of the property; the lek lies along the road and the calving area is crowded by homesites.

Carbonell tends to blame the way such developments are originally planned. "It's important (for planners and developers) to start interacting before a design gets finalized. In the absence of understanding how watersheds work, or how an ecosystem works, you can get development patterns that are not terribly functional."

Not surprisingly, the projects that have done well on an ecosystem scale are enormous, built by developers with deep pockets and a grand vision. Santa Lucia Preserve, Calif., is 20,000 acres, with 18,000 acres permanently conserved. Galisteo Basin Preserve outside of Santa Fe, N.M., is 13,522 acres, with more than 12,800 acres of open space. Highlands Ranch, Colo., is 22,000 acres with 13,000 acres preserved, including a "backcountry wilderness" of 8,200 acres that supports an elk herd.

These three developments preserve meaningful chunks of open land and connect with other natural reserves -- conservation easements, state parks, national forest. They also take habitat stewardship seriously. The Santa Lucia Preserve established an endowment to fund the Santa Lucia Conservancy, a nonprofit group with an independent board, to manage its preserve land and set long-term ecological goals. The Galisteo Basin Preserve coordinates with two nonprofit organizations, a corps of graduate students, and local volunteers to perform monitoring and restoration work. Highlands Ranch employs three full-time natural area managers and seasonal rangers, plus resident volunteers.

However, it is possible to achieve landscape-level results through interaction and flexibility. Just west of Salt Lake City, Utah's Tooele County specifically requires that at least 75 percent of a development's open space lots "shall be in a contiguous tract" and "adjoin any neighboring areas of open space." Douglas County, Colo., is currently amending its regulations to mandate formal community meetings before a project is finalized. Then the development can better meet the conservation goals articulated in the community's master plan: Wildlife corridors and open-space parcels can be planned so that they align, watersheds can be protected along their length, and development can be steered so that it clusters along major roadways and population centers.

"Watersheds, ecosystems, migration patterns can be functional in close proximity to people and cities," says Carbonell. Conservation development is just another element in the planning process. Reed recommends that the open-space parcels be big enough (she is currently seeking funding to determine the best size), and that they minimize edges and be properly monitored and maintained. The entire project should be surveyed at the start to identify critical habitat, and the development should be planned around it. Finally, the open-space parcels should communicate with other natural areas outside of the development.

Ideally, Reed says, each community should develop a vision that manages growth while protecting critical areas and corridors for biodiversity -- and then use "conservation development as one way to attain that ideal configuration."

Vote goes against property rights initiatives

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:32:00 -0500

Jackson County voters seem to be turning back effort to revive Measure 37 claims

May 16, 2012

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune Article

An attempt to revive a failed property rights initiative through two ballot measures appears to have failed by a wide margin in election results posted late Tuesday night.

Ballot Measure 15-110, which would have forced Jackson County to defy the state against any future land-use regulations that reduce the value of properties, was losing, with 16,639 votes against and 11,135 in support, or 60 percent to 40 percent.

Ballot Measure 15-111, which would have required the county to protect property rights established under 2004 Measure 37, also was losing by about the same margin, with 17,185 voting against and 10,695 in support, or 62 percent to 38 percent of the vote.

"That sounds like a complete surprise," said Jerry McCauley, chief petitioner for the ballot measures. "It sounds like just the reverse."

McCauley, who is involved with Americans for Prosperity of Jackson County, said a survey conducted before the voting showed about 60 percent of voters approved of the ballot measures.

More than 60 percent of voters in Jackson County approved of Measure 37, the property rights law passed in 2004 that provided a mechanism to waive land-use laws that resulted in a loss in land value.

Measure 37 was overturned when Oregon voters approved Measure 49 in 2007.

However, Jackson County voters rejected Measure 49 by a wide margin.

Jackson County commissioners initially supported Measure 37, encouraging residents to file waivers.

The state calculates 578 waivers were approved here, totaling in excess of $500 million in potential claims.

Frustration from many landowners over Measure 37's defeat gave rise to the two new ballot measures.

Many voters appeared uncertain about the two measures.

In Measure 15-110, 3,809 people didn't cast any vote.

This represents 12 percent of the 31,583 votes cast in the second round of results.

For Measure 15-111, 3,703 people didn't cast a vote, or 11.7 percent of the 31,583 total votes.

McCauley said he expected a similar showing of support for the two ballot measures as was received under Measure 37.

McCauley said he senses that most voters in Jackson County understand that the state has been attempting to strip Measure 37 claimants of their rights.

"It's wrong what they are doing," he said. "The majority of the voters know that."

McCauley said the low turnout could explain the voter rejection of the measures.

"If the majority of voters get off their tails, we'd get a more precise indication," he said.

In the future, McCauley didn't discount the possibility that another set of measures could be placed before voters.

Jackson County Commissioner Don Skundrick, who has voiced his opposition to the two ballot measures, said, "I'm thrilled they're going down."

Skundrick said he thinks voters realized the measures would only cause aggravation for the county despite the groundswell of support for Measure 37 in 2004.

"Let's give the voters some credit," he said. "I think the voters are showing some sense."

A supporter of the principals of Measure 37, Skundrick said that if the two measures were passed they would end up costing the county in legal fees.

"They were poorly written and they weren't going to go anywhere," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email dmann@mailtribune.com.

Mail Tribune Article

Ballot initiatives would restore Measure 37 rights

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:53:00 -0500

Ballot initiatives would restore Measure 37 rights

But county commissioners say local land-use picture would get more confusing if they pass

April 22, 2012

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

An overturned property rights initiative formerly known as Measure 37 could rise again if voters approve two local ballot measures on May 15.

Ballot measures 15-110 and 15-111 seek to reinstate rights gained under Measure 37, the property rights law passed in 2004 that provided a mechanism to waive land-use laws that resulted in a loss in land value.

Measure 37 was overturned when Oregon voters approved Measure 49 in 2007.

Frustration from many landowners over Measure 37's defeat gave rise to the two new ballot measures.

Ballot Measure 15-110 would establish a charter amendment that would force Jackson County to defy the state against any future land-use regulations that reduce the value of properties.

Ballot Measure 15-111 would require the county to protect the rights established under Measure 37, which have been rejected by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

"We didn't start this fight," said Jerry McCauley, chief petitioner for the ballot measures. "Almost 600 folks had Measure 37 approvals that got yanked away. They set us up for failure."

But county officials say the ballot measures fly in the face of state law and will be quickly overturned in the courts.

"They will not be enforceable, because they are unconstitutional," said County Commissioner Don Skundrick.

If the ballot measures pass, the county would be placed in the unfortunate position of enacting the amendment, he said.

"But then the state will come down on us and say it's not constitutional," Skundrick said.

Conflict over land-use planning goes back to the 1970s, when Oregon began rezoning properties to protect farmland and open space from development.

Property rights advocates, who disputed much of the state zoning, thought they'd turned the tide away from statewide planning when Measure 37 took effect, and many property owners believed they could finally develop their land.

After Measure 37, McCauley said he was encouraged by the county to file a Measure 37 claim on his 240-acre property in Sams Valley, hoping to divide it into more than 40 parcels.

He said he spent $400,000 and jumped through various bureaucratic hurdles, which he thinks were an effort to stall his plans to develop.

After Measure 49 passed, McCauley said his investment was wiped out along with his dreams to build a compound on his property for his extended family.

McCauley, 68, who is involved with Americans for Prosperity of Jackson County, said he thinks voters will support the measures, but acknowledges the issue will probably head to the courts.

"I don't think it's a problem getting it approved," he said. "It's what happens afterwards that will be the problem."

Jackson County commissioners initially supported Measure 37, encouraging residents to file waivers. The state calculates 578 waivers were approved here, totalling in excess of $500 million in potential claims.

Court battles are still ongoing, pitting the Board of Commissioners against the landowners who formerly supported them.

Steve Rouse, an Applegate opponent of Measure 37 and the two new ballot measures, said the new measures go well beyond the scope of Measure 37.

Rouse said the county wouldn't be able to enact any land-use laws, because the laws would trigger claims being filed by affected property owners. And the county would be in the position of constantly fending off lawsuits filed by the state over local land-use issues.

"It's just too much," he said.

Rouse said voters ultimately rejected Measure 37 because it aggressively sought to overturn years of land-use laws that protect open space and farmland.

Commissioner C.W. Smith said he was a supporter of Measure 37, but Measure 49 changed everything.

He said the county would be in violation of state law if it continued to support the Measure 37 waivers.

Though he understands the frustrations of many property owners, Smith said he doesn't support the two new ballot measures because they would further confuse the situation, costing time and money for legal challenges.

"Based on their definition, we would have to compensate everybody for Measure 37," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email dmann@mailtribune.com.

The future of farmland

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:45:00 -0600

ACTS MATTER

The future of farmland

By Pepper Trail

An Acts Matter Essay
For the Tidings

Posted: 2:00 AM March 06, 2012

Photo: Jamie Lusch | Daily Tidings Farm equipment sits in a pasture near Emigrant Lake. Daily Tidings Photo / Jamie Lusch

In your imagination, climb with me to the top of one of the great vantage points in our valley, such as Roxy Ann or Grizzly peaks. Looking out, what do we see? In the distance are the dark conifer forests of the mountains: U.S. Bureau of Land Management and national forestland. At our feet are the spreading towns and developments clustered along Bear Creek and the Interstate 5 corridor. And in between, we see a varied, pleasing and productive rural landscape of farms, orchards, vineyards, pastures and ranches.

Without any doubt, this rural countryside is fundamental to the quality of life that we enjoy in Southern Oregon. It is essential to our economic health, our agricultural productivity and our regional identity. It is also the most threatened part of our landscape. Without thoughtful protection and management of these lands, we could easily lose our most productive rural countryside in the next few decades.

For example, if the Regional Problem Solving plan for the Bear Creek Valley is approved by the state, 7,000 acres of farmland eventually will be swallowed by urban sprawl.

Fortunately, community efforts to preserve Southern Oregon's rural lands are well under way.

On Feb. 23, I attended a forum in Central Point on the future of our farmland and rural landscapes, hosted by the grassroots land-use group Rogue Advocates and the statewide 1000 Friends of Oregon. Part of the Envision the Rogue Valley project, this event attracted farmers, grape-growers, ranchers and concerned citizens like me.

We discussed topics such as establishing buffers between towns and farms, protecting farmland from development through zoning and economic incentives, and boosting agricultural education in Southern Oregon.

I encourage everyone to weigh in on this discussion. It's easy to do: just fill out a short survey (with plenty of room for your own ideas) on rural lands conservation at: www.dailytidings.com/farmland_survey.

Remember: Without farms, no farmers' markets. Without local agriculture, no local fruit or wine or beef or cheese. If we don't protect our rural lands, we will be left standing, hat in hand, at the off-ramps from I-5, waiting for what the outside world chooses to give us. And no one wants a taste of that future.

Pepper Trail is a board member of Rogue Advocates and a longtime local activist, naturalist and writer who lives in Ashland.

Resources:

Details on the Envision the Rogue Valley Project, see the Rogue Advocates site at: www.dailytidings.com/envision

Details on the Regional Problem Solving Plan: http://www.rvcog.org/mn.asp?pg=RPS_2010

PDF of the Regional Problem Solving plan: www.dailytidings.com/BearCreekplan

Southern Oregon Land Conservancy: www.landconserve.org

Friends of Family Farmers: www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org

Take the Farmland Conservation Survey at www.dailytidings.com/farmland_survey

Farmer, rancher and local-food supporter Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm in Virginia will be interviewed by Geoffrey Riley on the Jefferson Exchange at 9 a.m. Wednesday (KSJK-Talent, AM 1230) about Salatin's approach to farming that has earned him approval from natural food supporters but has frequently put him at odds with farm regulators. Salatin, a main subject of the popular book "Omnivore's Dilemma," also will be speaking March 15-16 at several fundraisers for the education and advocacy programs of Project Rogue Valley, a part of the Jackson County Local Action Coalition supporting self-reliance and natural resources (http://jclac.org).

RVTD's launches new carpool matching database

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:37:00 -0600

From Nathan Broom, RVTD Transportation Options Planner, 2/3/12:

I want to call your attention to Oregon’s new carpool matching database, Drive Less Connect. Find the tool at www.DriveLessConnect.com. This free database helps connect people making similar trips so they can share the ride. It also connects bike commute partners and lets users track their savings online. Employers can create their own networks in the system to promote carpooling among their employees, and can use the system to run alternative commute promotions and incentive campaigns. RVTD administers the system in SW Oregon, and I’m happy to field any questions and help groups start using the tool.

Nathan Broom

RVTD Transportation Options Planner

3200 Crater Lake Ave, Medford, OR 97504

(541) 608-2411

RVTD Expands Bus Service in the region

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0600

From Rogue Valley Transportation District:

New Evening and Saturday service starting April 2nd!

RVTD will expand service into the evening and on Saturdays beginning Monday April 2, 2012. This service is funded in part by a 3-Year grant through 2015. Hours of operation are limited due to the amount of funding. RVTD is taking public comment at a hearing scheduled for January 25th and February 22nd at the RVTD Board meetings about the service changes. Comment can also be provided through an online comment form.

Learn more from RVTD here.

Ashland seeks 'pedestrian-friendly' designs

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:57:00 -0600

Ashland seeks 'pedestrian-friendly' designs

City Council OKs Planning Commission recommendations for three intersections in town

November 08, 2011

By Vickie Aldous

for the Mail Tribune

ASHLAND — The City Council has approved concept designs for making three intersections in town more pedestrian-friendly.

In most cases, the concepts are voluntary and don't force property owners at the intersections or developers to build in a certain way, city staff said.

In fact, the concepts offer more flexibility by allowing buildings to sit closer to the sidewalk and to be built at a greater density to accommodate housing, shops and other uses, city staff said. . .

Read more here.

Regional planning initiative approved by county

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:46:00 -0500

Regional planning initiative approved by county

October 20, 2011

By Paul Fattig

Mail Tribune

After 11 years of often spirited debate in countless meetings, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners unanimously has approved a Regional Problem Solving plan to guide urban growth for the next half-century.

After a three-hour session Wednesday afternoon, the commissioners voted to approve slightly more than 8,500 acres of urban growth reserves in the county, roughly half of which includes parcels on the edges of Medford, the county's largest community. . .

Read more here.

Don't stop now Regional Problem Solving plan shouldn't get derailed by last-minute changes

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:44:00 -0500

Don't stop now

Regional Problem Solving plan shouldn't get derailed by last-minute changes

Mail Tribune - editorial board

October 19, 2011

The Jackson County commissioners are tantalizingly close to making history by adopting a land-use plan for future urban population growth. The commissioners should not let last-minute changes derail the effort.

The Regional Problem Solving process has been under way for a decade. It is based on the premise that the county's population — now about 200,000 — will double by 2060. . .

Read more here.

Group proposes farmland mitigation plan for valley

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:20:00 -0500

Group proposes farmland mitigation plan for valley

Goal is to preserve agriculture in valley

Hillcrest Orchards and RoxyAnn Winery vineyards are surrounded by expanding Medford subdivisions and commercial development. Rogue Advocates is proposing a farmland mitigation program to protect agricultural land from development.Bob Pennell

By Vickie Aldous

Ashland Daily Tidings

Posted: 2:00 AM August 29, 2011

The group Rogue Advocates is proposing that when high-quality farmland is developed, the loss should be mitigated by permanently protecting other farmland from development.

The proposal comes as Jackson County commissioners prepare to begin hearings in September about where development should occur to accommodate a projected doubling of the Rogue Valley population over the next 50 years.

The farmland mitigation program would be similar to wetland mitigation efforts, in which wetlands are protected when wetlands elsewhere are developed.

Jimmy MacLeod, executive director for the Ashland- and Williams-based Rogue Advocates, said under the proposal, developers who build on high-quality farmland essentially would be required to buy the development rights on other farmland — permanently protecting that land from development.

MacLeod said the farmland mitigation plan would increase the cost of homes built on farmland.

But it would be a way of putting a cost on the destruction of farmland and damage done to the local agricultural industry, he said.

"All these years, no one has had to pay anything for that," MacLeod said.

The Home Builders Association of Jackson County did not return phone calls for comment on how a farmland mitigation program could affect development and home construction.

MacLeod said the Rogue Valley needs a critical mass of acres devoted to agriculture. When farmland and orchards are lost, that creates a ripple effect of agricultural supply stores and other related businesses closing. Eventually, agriculture loses its viability in an area, he said.

Rogue Advocates developed the farmland mitigation proposal in concert with farmers, farm advocates and other residents. The proposal is modeled after programs in counties in California, Colorado and Vermont.

The proposal's supporters came together because of growing concern that a Regional Problem Solving Plan now under development has earmarked 7,000 acres of farmland for future urbanization. Of that, 1,200 acres are high-value farmland, meaning that it typically is irrigated and has the best soils, according to Rogue Advocates.

The county government and most Jackson County cities are taking part in the Regional Problem Solving Plan to guide development for the next 50 years and prepare for population growth. The plan still is being drafted.

Nancy Vaughn, who raises hay, cattle and fruit outside Jacksonville, said the plan focuses too much on cities' projected growth needs.

"We also need to focus on what the needs are for maintaining a strong agricultural economy and the future food needs for our growing cities," Vaughn said. "The Rogue Advocates' farmland mitigation program could be a step in the right direction. It's worth the county taking a look and giving it some consideration."

She said a farmland mitigation program could help preserve the valley's agricultural base and its better farmlands.

On Aug. 16, the Ashland City Council voted to ask Jackson County commissioners to reduce the amount of high-quality farmlands included in the Regional Problem Solving Plan's urban reserves for cities.

The urban reserves, located outside cities' urban growth boundaries, would be the designated areas for cities to grow as they eventually expand past their urban growth boundaries.

Unlike most other cities in the county, Ashland previously decided not to designate urban reserves.

If the amount of high-quality farmland in urban reserves isn't reduced in the valley, the Ashland City Council said it supports the farmland mitigation proposal.

More specifically, the Rogue Advocates' mitigation proposal would require that whenever farmland in an urban reserve is annexed into a city for development, the developer would pay a willing landowner for a farmland conservation easement on farmland outside the reserve. Alternately, the county could administer the mitigation program and developers would pay fees for the county to set up conservation easements.

Among other comments, the Ashland City Council has also asked that the Regional Problem Solving Plan promote dense development, mass transit and a variety of housing types.

Jackson County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Regional Problem Solving Plan at noon on Sept. 7 in the Jackson County Offices Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford.

Additional public hearings are scheduled tentatively at noon on Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26.

Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-479-8199 or vlaldous@yahoo.com.

City officials surprised at growth plan addition

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:14:00 -0500

City officials surprised at growth plan land addition

County's recommendation is about 400 acres larger than city had designated

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

August 22, 2011 2:00 AM

Medford officials have expressed surprise that Jackson County recently proposed adding another 394 acres to the city's future growth area as part of a 10-year-long regional effort to prepare for a doubling of the county's population.

The county Planning Commission recommended Medford take in a total of 4,805 acres under the Regional Problem Solving plan — about 400 more acres than the city had designated.

"We were under the understanding that we were discouraged from making changes like that after 10 years of work," said Suzanne Myers, a city senior planner.

City Council members plan to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes, but initial reaction suggests the council hasn't embraced the idea, particularly because the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development has warned cities about taking in too much land.

Areas that would be added under the proposal include land north of Vilas Road to Gregory Road, the Hollywood subdivision area off West Main Street and agricultural land west of Oak Grove Elementary School.

The county Planning Commission also recommended not including high-value farmland along South Stage Road as part of Medford's future growth.

Residents in the areas proposed for addition into the city have previously opposed inclusion in Medford's boundaries.

Cities that plan to add land for future growth under the RPS process include Eagle Point, Central Point, Medford, Phoenix and Talent. Ashland is the only city in the process that won't add acreage, with city officials there saying they prefer to increase density. The RPS process was started a decade ago with the premise that the county should prepare for a doubling of population by 2060.

The combined effort by the county and local cities is part of a state option that grants more local control — if all the entities can agree — for determining where future growth will be directed.

If Jackson County succeeds in finalizing the proposal, it would be the first of any county in the state to sign off on a Regional Problem Solving plan. Other counties have failed to come to similar agreements because of difficulties in getting the local governments to work together.

In Jackson County, Jacksonville opted out of the process several years ago.

Myers said the city plans to hold a public hearing on the county proposal, possibly on Sept. 1, although details haven't been finalized.

Hearings will also be held by the county commissioners, who will debate the county Planning Commission recommendation.

Planning Commission members were divided on the recommendation, voting 3-2 in favor.

Don Greene, chairman of the Planning Commission, said he voted against the idea and helped to prepare a minority report opposing the idea.

"It was kind of a last-minute thing," he said. "It was not a unanimous decision."

Greene agreed with including land north of Vilas, but opposed taking in high-value farmland west of Oak Grove Elementary.

Greene also agreed to take out land along South Stage. Initially, that proposal resulted in Medford being short of acreage, requiring adding more land from other areas. That led to inclusion of the land west of Oak Grove, which Greene said he opposed because it provides an important buffer between the city and other agricultural land.

Adding 400 acres could also be a problem with the state, Greene said.

"I think that could be an issue, particularly with the farmland being brought in," he said.

The county has prepared a 2,000-page document to support its findings about the RPS effort and to justify the proposed changes.

The county Planning Commission proposed other changes, including reducing the growth area for Phoenix by 18 acres and for Talent by 75 acres.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email dmann@mailtribune.com.

Rural land spotted for growth

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:24:00 -0500

Rural land spotted for growth

August 02, 2011 By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

By 2060, the combined population of Medford and Central Point is projected to top 200,000 under a proposal that targets rural land for future growth around Jackson County's six largest cities.

The population forecast is part of an occasionally rancorous effort known as Regional Problem Solving that is heading into the final stages of approval after more than 10 years of public hearings, debates and conflicts that occasionally have threatened to derail it.

How Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford, Central Point and Eagle Point will grow in the next 50 years

Current population: 140,000

Projected population in 2060: 280,000
Jackson County's six largest cities have a combined 29,850 acres within their boundaries and within urban growth areas.
The proposal would add an additional 8,536 acres to the cities for future growth.

City-by-city breakdown of projected growth

Current Projected %increase

Eagle Point 8,702 26,907 209 percent

Central Point 17,652 40,255 128 percent

Medford 78,780 161,0141 104 percent

Phoenix 5,339 15,924 198 percent

Talent 6,561 11,409 74 percent

Ashland 22,117 24,918 13 percent

To see maps showing where cities are proposing to grow, go to www.co.jackson.or.us/files/ag_forum_presentation.pdf

If Jackson County succeeds in finalizing the proposal, it will be the first of any county in the state to sign off on a Regional Problem Solving plan. Other counties have failed to come to similar agreements because of difficulties in getting cities to work together.

In Jackson County, Jacksonville opted out of the process several years ago.

Key dates leading up to finalizing the proposal before it is sent to the state for adoption are coming up.

The Jackson County Planning Commission will send its recommendation to the Jackson County Board of Commissioners at 1 p.m., Aug. 11, at the Jackson County Courthouse auditorium, 10 South Oakdale Ave.

The commissioners will hold the first of eight public hearings on RPS at 1 p.m., Sept. 8, followed by other hearings at the same time and location Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26.

After commissioners approve the proposal, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development reviews it.

Don Greene, chairman of the county planning commission, said residents need to pay attention to the planning process because it will have profound impact on county development.

For instance, a farm next to a housing development might be turned into a residential development in the future. The framework for that change in land use is being devised now, said Greene.

"We are really locking this in for 50 years, and there will not be much change from this," he said.

Devising a regional plan will help with long-range projects such as mass transit, bicycle paths, walking trails and even the density of housing in an area, said Greene.

"Now planning is developer-driven, but this will be more city-driven," he said.

The need for a regional plan is the outgrowth of the shift in Jackson County from a rural area to one that is more metropolitan, said Greene.

"We've grown up," he said. "Long-range planning is the way of the future for us."

One of the big advantages cities have in a regional planning effort is greater justification under state land-use laws for adding more acreage once cities need to expand.

Every city that is part of Jackson County's proposal — Eagle Point, Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland — plans to add land to accommodate a doubling of its population by 2060. Ashland is the only community that won't add acreage, preferring to increase density.

Both Central Point and Eagle Point eventually will surpass Ashland's population, knocking the county's southernmost city from the second-largest to fourth-largest city.

Central Point will grow by 128 percent, from 17,652 residents to 40,255. Eagle Point will grow by 209 percent, from 8,702 to 26,907.

Ashland will only increase by 13 percent from 22,117 to 24,918.

All six cities now have 29,850 acres within their boundaries and within urban-growth areas. Under RPS, the cities would gain an additional 8,536 acres in reserves for future growth.

Jimmy MacLeod, executive director of the land-use advocacy group, Rogue Advocates, said the proposal in his estimation only meets minimum standards for ensuring the types of densities needed to make mass transit viable in the county.

"I wouldn't say they've done some cutting edge-type plan here," he said.

Also, he's concerned that some 1,200 acres of the best farmland in the valley, primarily around Central Point, would be gobbled up.

MacLeod said he thinks the 50-year planning horizon is a little too far into the future. Global warming, changes in transportation planning and other factors could have strong effects on development in the future that might require even greater densities, he said.

MacLeod said he will reserve any further comment on the plan until after the county planning commission has sent its recommendation to the commissioners.

Even Greene thinks there are deficiencies in the proposal, which is the result of years of compromise and public debate.

"I personally believe Ashland could have taken more growth," he said.

He said less farmland around Central Point would have been earmarked for future development if Ashland could have absorbed more of the area's population growth.

Also, he said, preservation of farmland and questions about the future of irrigation rights have not been fully addressed in the proposal.

Greene said the regional effort has been important for the county as it prepares for its future, but he said it is not a perfect effort.

"I think there is still strong disagreement," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or email dmann@mailtribune.com.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110802/NEWS/108020324

Sense and sensibility

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 22:45:00 -0500

Sense and sensibility

A proposed apartment complex is well designed and meets a community need

July 17, 2011

Mail Tribune editorial board

The proposed Cherry Creek apartment complex on Spring Street has raised the hackles of nearby residents who see the project as incompatible with a neighborhood of single-family homes. Their objection is understandable to a degree, but the city commission charged with reviewing the application was right to approve it.

The complex involves a series of buildings incorporating two-story, townhouse-style apartments and single-floor units. It would include a central lawn area, community gardens, a community center and two play areas for children. The project would include 100 apartment units, 163 off-street parking spaces and covered parking for 100 bicycles.

Read more here.

Hwy. 62 bypass planning will look at safetyHwy. 62 bypass planning will look at safety

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:47:00 -0500

Hwy. 62 bypass planning will look at safety

July 10, 2011

By John Darling

for the Mail Tribune

Busy Highway 62 isn't normally thought of as a good place for pedestrians and bicyclists. But plenty of people ride buses or bikes on the hectic thoroughfare every day, often making mad dashes across four lanes of bustling asphalt to safety.

On Friday, a 17-year-old Medford boy who apparently was trying to dash across near Delta Waters Road was critically injury when he was struck by a pickup. Nathan Cadwallader remained in critical condition Saturday at Providence Medford Medical Center.

As planners map out a proposed $125 million Highway 62 bypass, planners are seeking opinions on where to put bus stops, crosswalks, pedestrian-bike paths and maybe even a park-and-ride, said Paige Townsend, senior planner for Rogue Valley Transportation District.

Read more here.

Walmart near start of store in south Medford

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:42:00 -0500

Walmart near start of store in south Medford

July 10, 2011

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

A long-delayed, $14.5 million Walmart Supercenter will soon take shape in south Medford as the retail giant finalizes permits and pays $1.7 million in city fees.

Chris Reising, Medford's building director, said only a few details remained to be resolved before all the permits are issued.

"Within the next week or so everything should be ready to go," he said.

Reising said it's not unusual that fees, which are used to upgrade city services affected by new developments, amount to 10 percent of a large project's cost.

Walmart proposed a Supercenter in south Medford eight years ago but spent most of the interim fending off legal challenges and appeals related to traffic and design.

In December, the Oregon Supreme Court unanimously overturned an earlier decision by the state Land Use Board of Appeals that required the city to complete a comprehensive traffic study. The city maintained the traffic issue had previously been addressed when the property was rezoned years ago.

Read more here.

Commissioners may drown mining proposal

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:10:00 -0500

Commissioners may drown mining proposal

By Stacy D. Stumbo of the Daily Courier, July 9, 2011

Josephine County commissioners have decided they don't want to be submerged in controversy by approving an ordinance allowing recreational suction dredge mining on county land.

Earlier this week, commissioners heard public comment on the proposed ordinance. On Thursday, concerns raised during that discussion prompted commissioners to hurry a second public meeting on the issue to July 20 at 9 a.m. in Anne Basker Auditorium, 604 N.W. Sixth St. in Grants Pass.

Read more here.

Creating a vision for downtown Grants Pass

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:07:00 -0500

Creating a vision for downtown Grants Pass

By Jim Moore of the Daily Courier, July 11, 2011

Nobody has a crystal ball, but a lot of people know what they'd like to see in the future. When it comes to downtown Grants Pass, Mayor Mike Murphy and Community Development Director Michael Black are using the same crystal ball.

"My vision of Grants Pass 20 years from now has a downtown full of shops and restaurants and art and people of all ages enjoying a natural gathering place with a whole variety of attractions," Murphy said.

Read more here.