An 84-acre retail/office/industrial complex proposed near the Rogue Valley Mall is on hold at least until early December.

The Medford City Council late Thursday postponed a decision until Dec. 7 on whether to amend the city's Comprehensive Plan so a zone change can go through allowing the Northgate Centre to proceed.

The council closed the public hearing but the official record was kept open for those who have previously testified and want to submit more written testimony.

Timber Products and SierraPine, two wood products manufacturing mills adjacent to the project area, have said Northgate's proposed berm, trees and deed restriction prohibiting nuisance complaints for regular mill operations weren't sufficient. They sought assurances that any costs would fall on Northgate's developers if more mitigation measures have to be taken.

Erik Vos, business analyst for Timber Products, told the council that his company is concerned that after the project is built, it will be clear that dust, noise and traffic from the neighboring mills will be problems for the future tenants.

Advertisement

"Does Northgate feel Timber Products and SierraPine should absorb any costs" for mitigating those potential problems, he asked in a telephone interview Friday. "There's nothing that binds them to step up down the line. What if they're wrong?"

Mike Montero, project coordinator for Northgate, said the project's team is exploring further measures, though they believe what they've already proposed is sufficient. He said they hope to have something together in the next couple of weeks.

The project manager, Craig A. Stone and Associates, requested the rezoning of 62 of the 84 acres for a retail center/office park/industrial and business park proposal on the former Medco lumber mill property northwest of the Rogue Valley Mall.

The property was annexed into the city in recent years and has retained its general industrial zoning, used for heavy industry. The new project requires a zone change.

Timber Products and SierraPine representatives contend that the open-air boutiques and restaurants proposed would not be compatible with the existing mills next door, nor would the area handle the added traffic generated by the project.

Vos said the council had the opportunity to ask the Northgate planners more questions and they didn't.

"The City Council and the mayor need to be objective," he said.

Councilman Jason Anderson said council members could not talk about the project because the record was still open, but after the decision is made, they could.

Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail mlanders@mailtribune.com.