Planning Projects

Please submit comments for the projects below by e-mail to planning@cityofmedford.org or to the assigned planner's contact information, call (541) 774-2380, or mail written comments to:

Medford Planning Department
411 West Eighth Street
Medford, OR 97501

CLIMATE FRIENDLY AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES (CFEC)

What are Climate Friendly Areas (CFA's)?

Climate-Friendly Areas have potential to reduce air pollution and prioritize equitable outcomes. The vision for Climate-Friendly Areas includes:

Allowing for dense, urban mixed use centers that will have plenty of jobs, homes, and services close to each other so people have options to meet most of their needs without relying on a car
Areas that have (or have plans for) high-quality pedestrian, bicycle, and transit infrastructure to provide frequent, safe, and convenient connections to key destinations within Springfield and the region
Practical strategies to avoid or alleviate the need for people to relocate elsewhere due to rising costs, and to keep and increase affordable housing options

Why are we doing this work?

In 2007, the Oregon Legislature established a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Oregon is falling short of reaching its target. In response, Executive Order 20-04, issued by Governor Brown in 2020, directed State agencies to take additional actions to reduce emissions. To meet the Executive Order, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development created the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules. One component of the rules requires some cities, including Medford, to designate one or more Climate-Friendly Areas.

Climate Friendly Area Designation

City of Medford Climate Friendly Area Study (2023)

- DLCD Comments

City of Medford Climate Friendly Area Designation (2025)

- More information coming soon.

Project Contact

Please reach out to one of the following with questions pertaining to this draft code amendment.

Casandra Brown, Planner II

casi.brown@cityofmedford.org

541-774-2386

Carla Angeli-Paladino, Principal Planner

carla.paladino@cityofmedford.org

541-772-2395

DOWNTOWN PLAN (2024)

Learn about the Downtown Plan and how to be involved here.

Downtown Plan

Draft Plan

The Public Draft of the Downtown Plan is available for review.

Downtown Plan(PDF, 54MB)

Downtown Plan Appendix(PDF, 25MB)

The project hearing schedule is as follows:

- Planning Commission meeting - August 14, 2025

- City Council meeting - September 3, 2025

Please contact Carla Angeli Paladino at 541-774-2395 or carla.paladino@cityofmedford.org with questions.

Economic Opportunity Analysis

Learn more about the Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) we're conducting with the City of Ashland.

Economic Opportunity Analysis

CODE AMENDMENTS

Project Summary

Senate Bill 1537 (SB 1537) was adopted by the Oregon State Legislature in May of 2024. The bill has measures to reduce regulatory and procedural barriers for housing. In reviewing the bill, staff have identified items that need to be changed in the Medford Municipal Code to fully comply.

The two main items needing to be addressed relates to the “goal post rule” and limited land use decisions. Both are statutory requirements cities must follow currently. SB 1537 changes both requirements to provide for more flexibility in land use reviews.

The following list summarizes the changes.

Added definition of replat
Removed the conditional use permit requirement for changes or expansions to nonconforming uses
Added replats to procedural table as Type II decisions
Separated nonconformities in use table as Type I and Type II decisions
Revised re-notice fee section to expand reasons for re-noticing
Added option for applicants to request new regulations to apply to already submitted applications

Hearing Dates:

Planning Commission – October 24, 2024
City Council – November 21, 2024

Full Amendment Text(PDF, 120KB)

PARKLET DESIGN STANDARDS

Parklet Design

photo of parklet Medford's downtown streets have seen activity and outdoor seating through the conversion of parking spaces in the right-of-way. This started as a temporary program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting limitations placed on restaurants and bars for indoor seating of patrons. Today, several businesses are using the program.

City Council adopted an ordinance to amend the Medford Municipal Code allowing regulated parklets within the downtown Central Business District. The ordinance took effect on October 1, 2021.

Parklet Design Standards(PDF, 651KB)