In order to make way for a growing number of commercial jobs, the Medford City Council today will consider adopting goals that would move the city away from an industrial-based economy.
The move would help make more land available for retail and service jobs and less land for industrial and manufacturing use.
Local lumber companies are urging the city to slow down and offer more public hearings.
The council will consider amending the city's comprehensive plan to include 2003 and 2004 reports compiled by E.D. Hovee & Co. of Vancouver, Wash., during a public hearing at 7 p.m. today in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford.
City Planner Kathy Helmer said the change reflects the forecasts for future economic options within the urban growth boundary.
Advertisement | |
In 2004, Medford had 1,288 acres of buildable, vacant industrial property, compared with 350 acres of comparable commercial property, she said. Industrial lands comprise almost 80 percent of economic lands in Medford, she said.
The reports say there is a 300-acre deficit in commercial lands and a 440-acre surplus in industrial lands for the needs of the next 20 years.
Timber Products and Sierra Pine, both located near Sage Road and Rossanley Drive, argued in letters submitted to the council that the change will reduce the protection of existing industries. They requested additional time and public hearings.
Timber Products has said it is concerned the change will pave the way for developers of the proposed Northgate Centre nearby to change its zoning from industrial to primarily commercial.
Councilman Bob Strosser said there have been many public meetings on the report.
"This was certainly not done in a vacuum," he said, adding that he looked forward to hearing what representatives of Timber Products and Sierra Pine had to say at the hearing.
Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.
The Medford City Council will hold a public hearing during its 7 p.m. meeting today on whether to require all landlords to register with the city and pay an annual $40 licensing fee.
The proposed fee is $40 for a person with two or more rentals, plus $1 for each additional unit. A person with one rental unit would be required to register but not to pay the fee. Currently, landlords with five or more properties pay $81 for a business license.
The rental licensing program will help officials track down landlords when there are problems with their properties and will create an accurate database of Medford's some 16,300 rentals.
Related Stories:
