Planning strives to shape the built environment to improve the health, safety, and welfare of communities. The Oregon land use program was adopted by voters in 1973, with Senate Bill 100. This legislation effectively created the Land Conservation and Development Commission to design the statewide land use program, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development to carry it out. Under statewide law, all cities and counties are required to create, adopt, and regularly update comprehensive plans that address how the 19 Statewide Goals are being supported.
The Medford Planning Department is responsible for regularly reviewing and tracking our progress toward community-wide planning goals, achieved through land use, zoning, and design standards. The Department is also a leader in responding to conditions like climate change and housing needs. Though the work of the Planning Department intersects with many others, we do not: issue permits, review construction, carry-out traffic improvements, manage utilities, or address code-compliance issues.