The west edge of town is due to get a makeover as developers and city planners look to turn rural-style neighborhoods into dense, urbanized housing, offices and stores, including modern streets with sidewalks, lighting and trees.

The city is outlining what planners refer to as a "transit-oriented district" for an area along West Main Street from South Columbus Avenue to Renault Avenue; on Lozier Lane from Columbus to Meadows Lane; and on Ross Lane north to Thorn Oak Drive. Changes could begin over the next couple of years.

The goal is to reduce the reliance on cars by building mixed-use developments so residents potentially can work and shop in their neighborhoods. Dwellings would be within a quarter-mile of transit service and there would be more bike lanes and sidewalks.

Such a district also is planned downtown and within Medford's Southeast Plan at Barnett and North Phoenix roads. The city hopes to eventually establish a fourth district in the area of Highway 62 and Delta Waters Road.

Todd Chase, a consultant with Lake Oswego-based OTAK Inc., will develop the master plan. He told the Medford City Council during Thursday's study session the change will dramatically improve the safety and appearance of the area.

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"If you drive down Main Street today it doesn't necessarily leave a positive image in your mind," he said. "We have some young families here pushing baby strollers without sidewalks."

He said the townhouses in Jacksonville's Nunan Square are an example of the dense housing that could be developed in the transit-oriented areas. He said such housing is preferred among young professionals, empty-nesters and single parents, a growing percentage of the population.

Eve Campbell, who lives on North Ross Lane, endorses the plan.

"I think that it's a lovely idea — bring more people to the area," said Campbell, who moved in this fall from Brookings.

But Bertha Harrison, also of North Ross Lane, has reservations.

"We like this here open area," she said. "There's just space around." She said she likes being able to walk out her back door without a neighbor's front door just a few feet away.

Medford Senior Planner Suzanne Myers said the city has met with interested developers and consultants, including Craig Stone, Cris Galpin, Mel Sherbourne and Milo Smith, as well as business owners and residents. More meetings and open houses for public comment will take place beginning in January.

A draft plan could be completed in June, followed by review, she said. Any needed changes to the city's development standards and zoning would have to be approved by the City Council.

County Engineer Dale Petrasek said that in fall 2007 or spring 2008, construction will begin to upgrade West Main Street from Western Avenue to Oak Grove Road. He said it's coincidental that the work is beginning at the same time the transit-oriented district is being planned.

He said for safety reasons, sidewalks and a middle turn lane will be added.

Bill Quitt, owner of Black Bird Shopping Center, said though he will lose five or six parking spaces to the project, it will make the street safer.

"It's actually a good thing," he said.

Any streetlights or trees, however, would come later as part of the properties' redevelopment.

Myers said there's already an application under review by city staff for a mixed-use commercial townhouse project just east of Bi-Mart on West Main Street called Oak Grove Estates, handled by Craig Stone and Associates.

The city limits weave in and out of the area under consideration, and property would have to be annexed into the city for the dense development and streetside improvements to get under way.

Gary Spears of Lozier Lane said he'd rather keep the area's rustic feel.

"Just leave it alone, keep it the same," said Spears, whose property would be annexed if the district is developed. "We've been here for 35 years. We want to stay here."

Annexation just means higher property taxes and city service fees, he said.

"I'm tapped out now, I'm a disabled veteran," he said. "Urban growth — I don't really want it."

For more information about the proposed West Medford transit-oriented district, call the Medford Planning Department, 774-2380.

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