Policy & Practice
Oregon's land use system is one of our strongest tools. We help you understand how it works and how to use it to protect the Rogue Valley.
Policy Pulse Dashboard
Stay informed on what's moving, how the rules protect us, and where the risks lie.
In Play
Active decisions & hearings
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.
- City Council second reading of Ordinance No. 3309, October 20, 2026 at 6 p.m.
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.
- Sunny Valley Sand and Gravel proposed mining roughly 112 acres of a 212-acre tract at Placer Road and Daisy Mine Road
- The site drains to Grave Creek, a Rogue tributary that supports spawning coho salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey.
Mountain Top Village
A 199-unit apartment complex in 11 three-story buildings on the flanks of Roxy Ann Peak in Medford. The Planning Commission approved the project February 26, 2026, but the developer (Pacific Rental Properties) filed a writ of mandamus on April 14 after the City Attorney conceded a city noticing error caused neighbors to miss the 120-day appeal window. The writ hearing is set for 2:00 PM May 18 before Judge Benjamin Bloom in Jackson County Circuit Court. Neighbors organizing as "No Mountain Top" are pursuing every available appeal route, including LUBA. Wildfire risk on the WUI hilltop and the unexplained reversal from the 2017 two-story plan create strong land-use challenges.
- Circuit Court scheduling order + intervenor filings in writ proceeding.
Lower River Road Non-Farm Dwelling
A non-farm dwelling application has been filed for Exclusive Farm Use zoned land along the Rogue River corridor in Josephine County. The application tests the standards for allowing residential development on protected agricultural and riparian land. Public comment is open — Rogue Advocates is encouraging community participation in the review process.
- Public comment deadline: April 1, 2026
- Riparian corridor protections in the staff report
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.
- Rezoning decision and conditions of approval
- Whether affordable housing commitments are binding in early phases
Talent View Investments v. City of Talent
A developer secured a $7 million jury verdict against the City of Talent after the city failed to honor a 1977 railroad crossing agreement tied to a proposed 49-home development on 26 acres. This case highlights how decades-old municipal commitments can create unexpected financial liability for taxpayers when cities fail to follow through on infrastructure agreements.
- City of Talent appeal or settlement negotiations
- Taxpayer impact from the $7M verdict
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.
- Final public financing structure and taxpayer exposure
- Ballot measure outcome and implementation timeline
In Place
Foundational laws & protections
Medella Bison Ranch Solar Installation
Jackson County approved a large solar installation on the Medella Bison Ranch property off Highway 99. The hearing officer decision raised questions about the balance between renewable energy development and agricultural land preservation in the Rogue Valley. Rogue Advocates monitored the process and responded to community inquiries about the approval.
- Compliance with approval conditions during construction
- Impacts on surrounding agricultural operations
Under Threat
Risks, loopholes & rollbacks
Housing in Unincorporated Communities
Oregon is rewriting the rules for how unincorporated communities can grow. There are 23 of them in Jackson and Josephine counties. The first draft came out in early October. For the 8 with an official community type, including Applegate, Ruch, Merlin/North Valley and Trail, it opens new doors. It opens the most for White City, the only urban unincorporated community in either county. For the other 15, it's not clear the draft changes anything. State staff wrote that one change, which treats the case for building on farm and forest land as already made once a county meets the new growth rules, is "kind of like a blanket exception, or a preemptive pardon." The state expects to open public comment on November 1, with a hearing expected December 3 and 4.
- Draft rules go out for public comment — the state expects November 1, 2026
- Advisory committee meets September 11 at 9 a.m. and October 12 at 1 p.m., online and streamed on DLCD's YouTube channel
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.
Monument Drive EFU Rezoning
Josephine County approved rezoning 45 acres of Exclusive Farm Use land to residential through a Goal 3 exception. The application claims insufficient water for farming, but satellite imagery reveals an active reservoir and wetland vegetation on the property — directly contradicting the water availability argument. Rogue Advocates identified this evidentiary conflict and is monitoring for potential LUBA appeal grounds.
- LUBA appeal filing based on water availability contradictions
- Satellite imagery evidence entering the record
Live data from Watchdog, updated every 3 minutes.
Practice Pipeline
The land use system works best when you participate. Follow these steps to make your voice heard effectively.
Early detection is critical. By the time bulldozers arrive, it’s usually too late.
Checklist
- Check the "Public Notices" section of your county planning website weekly.
- Look for white land use notice signs posted on properties near you.
- Sign up for Rogue Advocates email alerts for major regional threats.
- Identify the file number (e.g., "439-23-00005-LRP").
Smart Growth Visualizer
We support housing where it fits, with the services and planning to make it safe and sustainable. See the trade-offs of different growth patterns.
Costs & Infrastructure
Moderate Cost: Infill utilizes some existing systems, but edge development still strains county budgets.
Safety & Resilience
Moderate Risk: Better access than rural sprawl, but still requires robust fuel reduction buffers and improved roads.
Community Outcomes
Connecting: Some walkability. A mix of lot sizes helps affordability, but transit options may remain limited.
How We Work
Welcoming & Inclusive
We believe land use affects everyone. We do not discriminate on any basis and strive to make our resources accessible to all residents of the Rogue Valley.
Conflict Transparency
Our board and staff rigorously disclose potential conflicts of interest. We recuse ourselves from decisions where personal financial gain could be involved.
Financial Stewardship
We operate with lean efficiency. Our financials are reviewed annually to ensure donor funds go directly to advocacy and education, not overhead.
Responsible Voice
Only authorized experts speak for Rogue Advocates. We vet our legal arguments carefully to ensure we maintain credibility with courts and commissions.
Turn concern into effective action.
We rely on local eyes and ears to protect the places we love. Join the network of advocates making a difference in the Rogue Valley.