Planning commission gives blessing to rezoning for planned duplex

A city lot that has been vacant and for sale for more than two decades could soon get developed pending final rezoning approval by the Medford city council on July 18.

At Monday night’s city planning commission meeting, members unanimously approved recommended rezoning the lot at corner of W. Conrad Drive and S. Park Ave. from single family use to one and two family use. The action will clear the way for Joe Strama to complete the purchase of the lot of Charlene Doyle and construct a duplex there that would be targeted to the needs of retired people looking to downsize and live within the city limits.

Strama said the plan would be for a single story structure built on a slab with in-floor heat and accessibility features that appeal to retirees and others. He told commission members that he would like to build something that would fit in with the rest of the homes in the area.

“We will make it fit into the community,” he said. He explained that his philosophy is to use better materials up front, which helps reduce long-term maintenance cost and he would not be looking to put up a cheap building.

Strama noted that he already has people interested in renting the proposed duplex. “I could do four of these right away, if I could find the property,” he said of the demand for this type of housing in the area.

While there was no one at Monday’s public hearing to speak against the proposed change, the city had received emails from two area residents opposed to it.

Susan Gregori who lives at 510 W. Conrad, immediately west of the lot in question, wrote opposing the change in zoning.

“After 37 years of living in military dorms, apartments and a row house, elbow to elbow with other families, not much privacy, I was so happy to find a large lot in Medford when I moved back. I had opportunities when I returned of ready to move in house, but they were all too close to others and small yards, and definitely not much for privacy. Then I got lucky and was shown a large empty lot. I know I have been lucky these last 10 years to have no neighbors on my east side. But I cannot agree to a zoning change to make it two families,” she wrote, urging the city to keep it a single family home.

Resident Brian Blank, who lives at 664 S. Washington Ave., kitty corner from the lot being rezoned, also wrote opposing the request. “This entire area is a single family zone. I believe whole heartedly that this should not be changed for someone to make money,” Blank wrote, urging the city to not change the zoning on the lot.

During the commission meeting, member Peggy Kraschnewksi asked about driveway access and building materials. Strama explained that both garages on the building would access onto W. Conrad Dr.

As far as the structure itself, Strama assured commission members he would want to make it attractive and part of the community.

Zoning changes must be approved by both the planning commission and the city council. It will take a two-thirds voted of the full city council to override the zoning change recommendation from the planning commission.