Medford Citizens for Responsible Development
May 22, 2006 Press Release

City Council to consider Wal-Mart traffic study: Citizen group launches petition drive

Medford Citizens for Responsible Development have launched a petition drive to ask the Medford City Council to require a comprehensive traffic study for the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The group has appealed the recent decision by the Medford’s Site Plan and Architectural Committee’s (SPAC) decision not to require a traffic study for the proposed 200,000sf Supercenter at Miles Field. The issue goes back to the Medford City Council on June 1 where the citizen group will urge for analysis of the impacts of almost 9,000 additional car trips per day in the already congested South Medford I-5 Interchange area, as required by Medford City Code.

“Traffic in that area is already so bad that taxpayers are poised to spend $75 million on the new interchange. If Wal-Mart is allowed to build there, the additional traffic will overwhelm the planned south Medford interchange and we will have gridlock once again,” said Shareen Vogel, a spokesperson for the group.

The group is circulating a petition that supports a comprehensive study of any new development that would create a significant impact to local roads. The canvassing effort will target local neighborhoods that would be impacted by the traffic, and hundreds of signatures have already been gathered. The petition is available for download from the group’s website, www.medfordcitizens.org, and can also be signed at Christian’s Pharmacy in downtown Medford.

“A comprehensive traffic study must be required before this project can proceed. If the study shows the current system will fail, then developers – not taxpayers – should pay for needed improvements.” added Vogel.

April 10, 2006 Press Release

City Council to consider Wal-Mart traffic study: Citizen group says city is ignoring traffic nightmare

Medford Citizens for Responsible Development will ask the Medford City Council to require a comprehensive traffic study for the Wal-Mart Supercenter as is required by Medford City Code. On Friday, the citizen group appealed the March 17 decision of the Medford’s Site Plan and Architectural Committee’s (SPAC) decision not to require a traffic study for the Wal-Mart Supercenter at Miles Field. The appeal sends the issue to the Medford City Council on June 1 where the citizen group will urge the City Council to ask Wal-Mart for an adequate traffic study to analyze the impacts of almost 9,000 additional car trips per day in the already congested South Medford I-5 Interchange area.

Medford Citizens is also challenging the city’s procedure in limiting testimony during the SPAC hearings. No section of the Medford Municipal Code, and no state statute, permits the city to deny CRD the right to present legal argument on traffic at these proceedings. To the extent that CRD has been denied the opportunity to address these matters, and even to speak to the question of whether it is entitled to address these matters, its due process and procedural rights have been denied, and it has been substantially prejudiced. SPAC should have permitted CRD to present its arguments on traffic to the record, and to address footprint and orientation testimony on the issue of compatibility.

February 20, 2006 Press Release

Local group continues fight against Wal-Mart:
Concerns include impacts to traffic & little public involvement

Last year the City Council rejected plans for a 207,000 square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center at Miles Field along Highway 99 at Center Drive. Now after months of secret meetings with city planning staff, Wal-Mart is trying to sneak its huge building into town without an adequate traffic study. A grassroots organization of community residents and business owners is working to ensure public involvement in the process.

Medford Citizens for Responsible Development formed to organize opposition to the development, and plans to speak at Tuesday’s Site Plan and Architectural Review Commission meeting at noon at City Hall. Our goals are to raise awareness of the proposal and organize community involvement in the decision.

“Our mission is to educate the community about the proposed development and the potential impacts, and encourage community involvement in the decision.” said Shareen Fiol, a spokesperson for the group. “We are determined to protect the gateway to Medford’s and encourage development that best serves the entire community.”

Concerns include the impact on existing traffic problems, compatibility with adjacent buildings and effects on local business. The groups’ latest efforts include an informational website, www.medfordcitizens.org. Wal-Mart estimates the Supercenter would generate an 8,755 additional vehicle trips per day, but their study says nothing about the impact of these trips on intersections surrounding the site or on the future I-5 interchange. The Oregon Department of Transportation wrote in a letter to the city that the Wal-Mart traffic study was “inadequate.”

The Site Planning & Architectural Committee hearing is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, February 21st , a move the group says restricts citizen input. “City meetings should be held when working citizens can attend. Not in the middle of the work day.” The meeting also conflicts with the all-day Workforce Housing Summit which will prevent many city leaders from attending the hearing.