Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves MD‑2B urbanization plan amendment moving collector, adjusting wetlands and map designations
Summary
The council approved a Type 4 legislative amendment to the Medford comprehensive plan for Planning Unit MD‑2B, relocating a minor collector from Burl Crest to Kingsley Drive, adjusting wetlands and open‑space boundaries, and reconfiguring commercial and residential map designations; the motion passed 7‑0 with one abstention.
The Medford City Council approved a legislative amendment (council bill 2026‑08) on Jan. 21 that revises the MD‑2B urbanization plan to realign a proposed minor collector street, update wetland boundaries and open‑space allocations, and shift some commercial and residential land‑use designations.
Planning staffer Kelly Aiken presented the staff report, noting that MD‑2B comprises roughly 225 acres and that the Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation at its Dec. 11 hearing. The amendment moves the minor collector designation from Burl Crest Drive to Kingsley Drive (a change driven largely by topography and intersection spacing), adjusts mapped wetlands and associated open space, and consolidates some commercial/service commercial areas to create more logical parcel boundaries. The applicant committed to using 18.7 acres of urban residential land for middle housing (SFR‑6/townhouse style), assigning urban high‑density acreage to MFR‑20 and portions of commercial land to MFR‑30 standards to achieve a minimum of 620 residential units under the revised plan.
The applicant’s counsel, Clark Stevens, described mitigation plans for wetlands (delineations and consolidations) and noted that delineation approvals from the Department of State Lands are in process. During council questions, staff and the applicant confirmed that any wetlands impacts would be mitigated in accordance with state rules and that the local wetland inventory and previous approvals informed the proposed adjustments. No members of the public testified at the hearing portion of the item.
Councilor Nick Card moved to approve council bill 2026‑08; the motion carried with seven yes votes and one abstention (Councilor Garrett West).
Next steps: Staff will carry the amended urbanization plan forward in the city’s implementation process, ensure DSL wetland delineation approvals are finalized, and monitor development proposals for consistency with the new map designations and density commitments.
