Protecting What We Love
Your support helps protect farmland, rivers, and urban centers through advocacy, education, and action.
Rogue Advocates is dedicated to cultivating livable and sustainable communities in southern Oregon's Rogue Valley region.
Through advocacy, education, and outreach around local land use issues, we work to preserve productive rural lands and to promote vibrant urban centers.
Del Rio Goal 11 Sewer Exception
Jackson County has approved a Goal 11 exception for the Del Rio properties off Highway 99 and North River Road near Gold Hill. It lets 238.46 acres of rural land connect to a future Rogue Valley Sewer Services line. The land is zoned for farms and rural homes (EFU, RR-2.5 and RR-5). Oregon's Goal 11 normally keeps sewer lines inside city growth boundaries. An exception is how a county makes room for one outside them. The county Planning Commission recommended approving part of the request and denying the rest. On July 29 the Board of Commissioners approved 13 of the 14 parcels. The applicant withdrew the 14th. On September 2 the Board adopted Ordinance No. 2026-4 to make it official. All three commissioners voted yes.
Sunny Valley Gravel Mine
Rogue Advocates, WaterWatch of Oregon, Rogue Riverkeeper, and Friends of Country Living have sent a joint letter to Governor Tina Kotek opposing former Josephine County Commissioner Andreas Blech's proposed Sunny Valley Sand and Gravel mine — a 210-acre deep-pit operation that would dig 80–90 feet down within 50 feet of Graves Creek, a tributary of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. The coalition warns the mine threatens endangered coho salmon and steelhead, domestic drinking-water wells in Sunny Valley, and already-strained instream flows, and they have asked state agencies to reject approval as DOGAMI nears completion of its mine plan review.
Track Proposals Early
We track land use proposals in Jackson and Josephine counties and share plain-English summaries and key dates.
See current prioritiesMake the Process Clear
We break down Oregon's land use process so people can comment and testify effectively.
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Housing in Unincorporated Communities
Oregon is writing new rules that would make it easier for counties to expand the boundaries of unincorporated communities and to allow denser or more urban development inside them. Twenty-three of those communities sit in Jackson and Josephine counties, among them White City, Merlin, Applegate, Ruch, Trail, Williams, Selma, Sunny Valley, Wolf Creek and Wonder. The state's advisory committee met for the first time on August 19 and meets again on September 11 and October 12, with draft rules expected to go out for public comment on November 1. Rogue Advocates is tracking the drafts closely, because the same rules govern the exceptions process that today protects farm and forest land at the edge of these communities.
Ashland Mills — Croman Mill Site Redevelopment
The Ashland Mills project proposes transforming the former 61-acre Croman Mill site into a mixed-use development with 538 housing units. The project requires rezoning and raises concerns about affordable housing commitments being backloaded in later phases. Rogue Advocates is monitoring the planning process to ensure public participation requirements are met and housing affordability promises are enforceable.
Ashland Ordinance No. 3309 — Steep Driveways
When Ashland adopted its hillside development standards in 1997, it limited new flag drives (driveways to lots set back behind other lots) to a 15 percent grade, with a variance available up to 18 percent. Ordinance No. 3309 would allow steeper ones. Two versions went to the City Council. The Planning Commission's version allows up to 20 percent for any flag lot, and no higher. The staff version applies to lots created before 1997 and sets no upper limit on the grade. On October 6 the Council voted 4 to 2 to pass the staff version on first reading. The second reading, which would adopt it, is set for October 20.
Creekside Quarter — Medford Stadium District
Creekside Quarter is a proposed $500 million mixed-use redevelopment in Medford featuring a stadium, conference center, and hotels. Ballot Measure 15-238 sought a transient lodging tax increase to help fund the project, potentially placing taxpayers on the hook for approximately $50 million. Rogue Advocates is tracking the public financing mechanisms and accountability structures surrounding this major development.
Defend the Public Interest
Since 2006, Rogue Advocates has pushed for lawful decisions and challenged actions when needed.
Donate to defendProtect rural lands.
Keep our towns livable.
Your monthly gift powers land use monitoring, public education, and advocacy in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Help defend rural communities and natural resources.
“We make Oregon’s land use process understandable and actionable, so communities can participate effectively and land use decisions protect the public interest.”
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