Rogue Advocates - Latest Blog Entries

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.

Dredge mining vote delayed

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:25:00 -0500

Dredge mining vote delayed

By Stacy D. Stumbo of the Daily Courier, July 8, 2011

Concerns from miners and conservationists have slowed a plan to allow recreational suction dredge mining in Josephine County.

Wednesday, commissioners listenedto public comment on a revised version of a proposed ordinance allowing mining on county lands. A second reading of the ordinance was postponeduntil later this month so the county's legal counsel can review the document.

Read more here.

Can the Legislature kill Oregon's wine industry?

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:15:00 -0500

Can the Legislature kill Oregon's wine industry?

June 21, 2011

By Duane Bowman, Mail Tribune - Guest Opinion

Do you want to see headlines like this: "Medford to host wine tourism event in November" — or like this: "Fruit Growers League disbands after 96 years"?

The wine industry is one of the few economic bright spots in Oregon's economic picture. With a little encouragement that can continue. But there's a black cloud on the horizon. Oregon's Legislature is in session and is considering House Bill 3280, an esoteric land-use bill of the type that usually flies under the radar. The kind that often creates damage we never can quite trace back to its cause.

I won't describe the long history of that bill, but if passed as it stands it's clearly detrimental to the wine industry. It might not kill the industry outright, but then some of us can remember when the pear industry was healthy and growing, an economic powerhouse here in Jackson County. Orchards were common sights. Now we have fallow land that isn't contributing much to our tax base or creating jobs for our residents. Could some of the blame fall on land-use laws like HB 3280? . . .

Read more here.

The Highway 62 truck bypass: too much, too soon

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:13:00 -0500

The Highway 62 truck bypass: too much, too soon

June 17, 2011, Mail Tribune, Gary Collins - Guest Opinion

Plainly stated, the Oregon Department of Transportation's proposal for a trucking bypass of Highway 62 is a stale rehash of outdated transit planning. The reality is, the stretch of highway proposed for the auxiliary bypass does not experience heavy truck traffic, certainly not compared with similar stretches of highway in major metropolitan regions.

Through traffic is not primarily long-haul trucking because 62 does not connect dense population nor major commercial nodes, nor generate disproportionately high traffic counts along the stretch proposed to be bypassed, except for the big-box commercial strip area between Commerce Drive and Delta Waters Road. Even there, relatively minor backups — and roadway damage — occur mainly along the approaches to the intersection with Delta Waters.

The latent effect will be to make more real estate available for commercial and light industrial development near the airport, even though there is no good reason for more low-density development there. Such planning is at odds with Oregon's long-standing open-space and agricultural preservation policies, thoughtful design for sustainability, reduction of dependence on automotive transit, revitalization of (in particular) Medford's urban core, and creation of a superior, more livable habitat. . .

“Joining forces to form an even more effective organization”: Rogue Advocates celebrates recent successes and merger with Friends of Jackson County

Thu, 26 May 2011 17:40:00 -0500

“Joining forces to form an even more effective organization”: Rogue Advocates celebrates recent successes and merger with Friends of Jackson County

By Kevin Pozzi, 1000 Friends of Oregon Communications Intern
May 25, 2011

1000 Friends is pleased to announce the merger of two of our Southern Oregon Affiliates, Rogue Advocates and Friends of Jackson County, with the combined organization to retain the name ‘Rogue Advocates.’

Rogue Advocates has been a very effective partner in Southern Oregon over the last seven years, pursuing livable communities and protecting the scenery and agriculture of the Rogue Valley.

Environmentalists unhappy county may allow dredge mining in its creeks and streams

Mon, 23 May 2011 23:30:00 -0500

Environmentalists unhappy county may allow dredge mining in its creeks and streams

By Stacy D. Stumbo of the Daily Courier, May 20, 2011

A century has passed since southwest Oregon's last gold rush. To the delight of would-be miners and dismay of environmentalists, Josephine County is considering an ordinance that would allow suction dredge mining in county-owned creeks and streams. . .

Read more here.

Better late than never

Tue, 03 May 2011 22:18:00 -0500

Better late than never

Proposed rest area and welcome center has addressed all concerns. Just build it

April 22, 2011

If the proposed rest area and welcome center on Interstate 5 south of Ashland finally gets built, opponents may not be pleased, but they will not be able to say the project was rammed through without consulting them.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has been planning the rest area and welcome center since the Siskiyou Rest Area at milepost 10 was closed in 1996 for safety reasons. The old rest area and welcome center was situated on the steep downgrade coming off the Siskiyou summit. . .

Read more here.

Council to consider rest area

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:10:00 -0500

Council to consider rest area

Welcome Center will need city water, sewer service

By Vickie Aldous

Ashland Daily Tidings

The Ashland City Council will consider whether to extend city water service to the proposed Siskiyou Safety Rest Area and Welcome Center south of town along Interstate 5, and whether to let the facility hook into an existing sewer line that leads to Ashland's sewage treatment plant.

The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St.

Read more here.