Objectors to a 165-acre development near Roxy Ann Peak have sidestepped the public-hearing process and apparently decided to voice their displeasure with the project through vandalism, police said Tuesday.

For the second time in two months, vandals have damaged property at the Vista Pointe planned-unit development under construction on the East McAndrews Road extension, Medford police Sgt. Tim Doney said.

About two months ago, someone spray painted the words "No Sprawl" on signs and removed survey stakes from the Vista Pointe site and a nearby development.

More extensive damage at Vista Pointe was discovered Tuesday by Johnny Cat Inc. crews who reported to work and found five pieces of heavy equipment and two fuel trailers had been tampered with overnight. Damage included cut hydraulic lines, and dirt-filled fuel filters and radiators, Doney said.

Vandals also used spray paint to write the word "unless" and initials "TJC" on equipment. The estimated cost to repair the equipment is expected to exceed $7,000, police said.

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Police are not certain the two cases of criminal mischief are related, but Doney said the word "unless" was also written at the site the first time vandalism was reported there.

Investigators say they do not understand the latest messages left by vandals.

"We don’t have a clue what they mean," Doney said.

John Holmes, owner of Johnny Cat, doesn’t believe youngsters are to blame for the damage.

"Usually, kids do vandalism a certain way ... breaking stuff and making a mess," Holmes said. "This was done in such a sneaky way. It was definitely older people — grown- ups."

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call Medford police detectives at 774-2230.

With a plan to build 657 homes on 165 acres, the Vista Pointe development is the largest ever reviewed by the city of Medford, city Senior Planner Jim Maize said.

Maize said the project will be developed in four phases. A tentative plan for the first phase was approved after a required public-hearing process drew little opposition, Maize said.

Holmes said his crews spent all day Tuesday making repairs to the equipment, and the vandalism will delay construction for "a few days".

"If I have to put someone up there to watch overnight, I will," Holmes said.