City council hears appeal for controversial development in east Medford neighborhood

(UPDATED: 7/19/19 5:45 p.m.)

Medford City Councilors voted to reverse a city commission’s decision of denying the proposed project. The council decided there was not enough data to reject the application so they reversed SPAC’s decision.

The applicant will have to work with city staff for the next 30 days to address some concerns including hours of operations. Developers will be back before the city council to present amended plans on August 15th.

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MEDFORD, Ore. – A controversial plan for a convenience store and car wash was heard by Medford city councilors for the first time this week. After a lengthy discussion, councilors decided to reverse the Site Planning and Architectural Commission’s decision to deny the plan saying SPAC made the findings improperly.

Thursday night’s city council meeting lasted well into the evening, with councilors even motioned to extend the meeting until midnight.

Springbrook corners LLC. wants to build a gas station, car wash, and coffee kiosk at the intersection of McAndrews and Springbrook. People who live in that area have been voicing their outrage over the plan, and back in May, those neighbors say they breathed a sigh of relief when the site plan architectural committee shot it down.

But, the owner of the land made an appeal, bringing the plan back on the table. It’s bringing panic back to residents who dislike the idea of bringing this kind of development to an almost exclusively residential area.

“This proposed development would be a safety traffic and livability issue, it would definitely degrade nice neighborhoods into something unlivable and undesirable,” one concerned resident said.

“If you do choose to approve this project it will be obvious that you have failed to protect and serve the people who have elected you to this office,” another concerned resident said.

More than a dozen residents begged councilors to shoot down the plan tonight. but also on the podium– the developments lawyer, who said they would be willing to work with council if the plan was approved. The planning office suggested making some changes to the development like cutting back on business hours.

With several amendments including restricted hours on the car wash, developing a landscape barrier and a noise study analysis, councilors voted to add a continuance to the hearing tonight to discuss changes made Thursday and will have their final vote on August 15th. No matter the decision, it can still be appealed at the state level.