Rogue Advocates - Latest Blog Entries

Should gravel-mining hold a trump card over farming?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:07:00 -0500

Should gravel-mining hold a trump card over farming?

The Oregonian Editorial Board, August 27, 2010

For many years, some have warned that a serious collision loomed between two of Oregon's natural resources. Some of the state's richest topsoil covers its treasury of sand and gravel. To get to the second, you have to dig up the first. . .

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/08/should_gravel-mining_hold_a_tr.html

In Yamhill County, Opponents Say Gravel Mining Will Ruin a Grand Island

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:01:00 -0500

In Yamhill County, Opponents Say Gravel Mining Will Ruin a Grand Island

By Eric Mortenson, The Oregonian, August 24, 2010

Read story here:

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/08/in_yamhill_county_opponents_sa.html

Keep a Lid on Measure 37 - and Future Sprawl

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:34:00 -0500

Keep a Lid on Measure 37 - and Future Sprawl

Mail Tribune - Guest Opinion

Aug. 15, 2010

In Greek Mythology, Pandora was ordered not to open a jar containing the countless evils in the world. But curiosity got the best of her and well, you can imagine the rest of that story. . . In a federal appeals case this summer, the court was asked to decide whether or not to open Oregon's own Pandora's box - Measure 37. . .

Read full story here.

Jefferson Exchange - Interview on Measure 37 "Contracts" Decision

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:30:00 -0500

On August 4, 2010, Rogue Advocates and Citizens for Constitutional Fairness faced off on the Jefferson Exchange radio show about the recent 9th Circuit decision verifying the real end of Measure 37. . .

Click here to listen to the hour-long program.

Appeals Court Ruling May Snuff Out Oregon Property Rights Claim

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:30:00 -0500

Appeals court ruling may snuff out Oregon property rights claim

July 21, 2010

Eric Mortenson

The Oregonian

A federal appeals court may have doused a legal theory that threatened to blow up the uneasy truce on Oregon's land-use battlefield. Acting on a low-profile Jackson County case, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that property development rights granted under 2004's Measure 37 aren't legal contracts. . .

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/07/appeals_court_ruling_may_snuff.html

RPS Becomes Wasteful

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:30:00 -0500

July 21, 2010

Letter to the Editor: "RPS Becomes Wasteful" - Brent Thompson

Mail Tribune

Regarding the undertaking called Regional Problem Solving, the original intent was to perpetually protect the best farmland, something any developed, forward-thinking, sophisticated society would do. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100721/OPINION/7210325/-1/OPINION03

Court Dashes Development Waiver Hopes

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:24:00 -0500

Court dashes development waiver hopes
The appeals court ruling affects owners of 571 pieces of property and about 60,000 acres in valley

July 21, 2010

By Damian Mann
Mail Tribune

A federal court ruling Tuesday dashed the hopes of owners of 571 Jackson County properties who received waivers to develop land under Oregon's Measure 37.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a lower court decision and found that there was never any contract between Jackson County and property owners who received Measure 37 waivers. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100721/NEWS/7210334

Appeals Court: Jackson County's Measure 37 Claims No Good

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:23:00 -0500

July 20, 2010

Appeals Court: Jackson County's Measure 37 Claims No Good

Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

A court ruling issued today dashes the hopes of owners of 571 Jackson County properties who received waivers to develop land under Oregon's Measure 37. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100720/NEWS07/7200347

Report: Low Density Could Hinder Transit

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:35:00 -0500

June 30, 2010

Report: Low Density Could Hinder Transit

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

Not enough people live or work along Highway 99 to sustain a robust mass transit district, a draft report by local transportation officials finds.
The document, prepared by the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, appears to lend credibility to land-use watchdog groups' criticisms that local cities aren't pushing hard enough for increased urban densities rather than expanding into agricultural lands. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100630/NEWS/6300321

Designation of Urban, Rural Reserves Taking Shape Across the State

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:03:00 -0500

Friday, June 18,

BY: Nick Bjork

Daily Journal of Commerce - Oregon

Designation of urban, rural reserves taking shape across the state

On the heels of Metro's vote approving urban reserves for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, some smaller communities around the state are making similar efforts to create long-term land use strategies.
This is the case in Medford where the city council voted unanimously on Thursday to send its recommendation for urban and rural reserves to Jackson County planners. The recommended urban reserves will be considered for expansion into the urban growth boundary over the next 50 years, while rural reserves can only be used for the purpose of agriculture or natural sanctuaries. . .

http://djcoregon.com/news/2010/06/18/designation-of-urban-rural-reserves-taking-shape-across-the-state/#comment-29096

RPS Ignores Goals

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:45:00 -0500

June 20, 2010
Letter to the Editor - Mail Tribune

RPS ignores goals

Regarding Regional Problem Solving, it's a "no brainer" that countywide decision makers should make every effort to preserve what's left of our best farmland. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100620/OPINION/6200302/-1/OPINION03

County's Growth Estimate Too Low for Ashland, City Says

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:38:00 -0500

County's growth estimate too low for Ashland, city says

June 22, 2010

Ashland Daily Tidings

Ashland could have trouble providing enough land for future businesses and homes if Jackson County doesn't change its low population forecast for Ashland, city officials fear. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100622/NEWS07/6220331

Population Forecast Riles City Officials

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:28:00 -0500

June 22, 2010

By Vickie Aldous
Ashland Daily Tidings

Population forecast riles city officials
County's projection far below historic growth

Ashland could have trouble providing enough land for future businesses and homes if Jackson County doesn't change its low population forecast for Ashland, city officials fear.

The low forecast could also hamper efforts to provide adequate water, sewage and road systems. . .

http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100622/NEWS02/6220309/-1/NEWSMAP

Council Advances Land-use Efforts

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:02:00 -0500

June 18, 2010

By Chris Conrad

Mail Tribune

Medford council advances land-use efforts

The Medford City Council voted Thursday to send its work on the Regional Problem Solving Plan to county planners for study, another step in a decade-long project that will determine how the region will grow over the next 50 years.

The Council voted unanimously to turn Medford's work on the plan over to Jackson County planners, who will look at it along with growth plans created by the Rogue Valley's larger towns. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100618/NEWS/6180328

Group Warns Cities Not to Absorb Farmland

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:22:00 -0500

June 08, 2010

By Damian Mann
Mail Tribune

Group warns cities not to absorb farmland
Friends of Jackson County urges communities to boost population density instead

A land-use watchdog group is urging local cities to stop eyeing 1,200 acres of prime farmland as they consider expanding their boundaries to accommodate populations that are projected to double.
Friends of Jackson County sent cities and Jackson County a letter on June 2 suggesting they increase population density rather than expand across agricultural land, which could risk conflicts with state land-use laws. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100608/NEWS/6080315

Medford Delays Vote on Growth Plan

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:50:00 -0500

June 04, 2010

By Chris Conrad
Mail Tribune

Medford delays vote on growth plan
Public hearing scheduled June 17

Jackson County residents will have one more chance to publicly comment on a massive plan to direct how central Jackson County will grow over the next half-century.

The Regional Problem Solving Plan will have an additional public hearing on June 17 at Medford City Hall. The plan has been nurtured by the county's largest cities for more than a decade. . .

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100604/NEWS/6040336

Advocacy Group Suggests Increasing Population Density

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:45:00 -0500

May 30, 2010

By Damian Mann
Mail Tribune

Advocacy groups suggest increasing population density
Blueprint for urban growth across Jackson County would cut out too much farmland, watchdogs say

A trio of land-use watchdog organizations say a proposal to eventually add 8,500 acres around six Jackson County cities would gobble up too much farmland.
Sarah Vaile, an outreach coordinator for Rogue Advocates, 1000 Friends of Oregon and Friends of Jackson County, said the organizations want cities to push for higher densities to prevent sprawl into about 1,200 acres of high-value farm areas.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100530/NEWS/5300325

Gravel Company Must Refill Pond

Mon, 10 May 2010 17:08:00 -0500

May 8, 2010

By Bill Kettler

Mail Tribune

State land-use officials say Jackson County should change its land development ordinance to prevent gravel from being mined under permits for excavating farm ponds.

County commissioners will consider recommendations from the Department of Land Conservation and Development at their study session at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, development director Kelly Madding said Friday.

State regulators are unhappy with the county's issuance of a permit for a farm pond near the Applegate River. State law allows construction of farm ponds. Gravel was removed from the farm, which constitutes mining, according to the DLCD. Mining would require a different land-use permit and public notice.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100508/NEWS/5080316

Support the Commons

Sat, 01 May 2010 12:51:00 -0500

The April 1 editorial "Bringing MURA under the Medford City Council's control is the appropriate move" makes a very good point -- that "the key component still needed to jump-start a revitalization of the city's core is more people living downtown.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100415/OPINION/4150311/-1/OPINION03

RPS Stays Inside the Box

Sat, 01 May 2010 12:28:00 -0500

Mail Tribune - Letter to the Editor May 1, 2010

RPS stays inside the box
Medford's proposal for 4,500 additional acres translates to adding 7 square miles without materially increasing the future average residential density. The Regional Problem Solving process has evolved within a conventional development context -- more streets, roads, single-family homes, a few apartments, some shopping centers, a low-intensity industrial component, and the usual supportive infrastructure.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100501/OPINION/5010302/-1/OPINION03