Frequently Asked Questions

Rogue Advocates is a nonprofit focused on responsible land use in the Rogue Valley. We track land use decisions and development proposals and advocate for outcomes that support livability and sustainability in our communities, including Jackson and Josephine counties.

We monitor land use proposals and policy changes at the city and county levels, review them for impacts and consistency with Oregon’s planning framework, and take appropriate action when a proposal raises public-interest concerns. Actions can include sharing information with the community, submitting comments, participating in hearings, and collaborating with partners.

We are not a substitute for your attorney, and we do not provide individualized legal advice. We also cannot guarantee outcomes for any specific proposal. Our work focuses on public-interest land use issues and improving local decision-making through research, engagement, and advocacy.

Land use refers to how land is planned, zoned, and developed, including where homes, businesses, farms, forests, roads, and open spaces are located. Land use decisions affect housing affordability, traffic, transportation options, farmland and forests, water resources, wildlife habitat, and overall quality of life.

An Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a line drawn around a city that helps guide where urban development should occur over time. The goal is to focus housing and services inside the boundary where infrastructure already exists, while protecting farmland, forests, and open space outside the boundary from sprawling development.

Resource lands are areas primarily used for farming and forestry, often zoned to protect them for long-term production and stewardship. These working lands help sustain local food and fiber production, support rural economies, and can also protect wildlife habitat, water quality, and the landscapes that define Oregon.

Oregon has a statewide land use planning framework that sets expectations for how cities and counties plan for growth, housing, transportation, resource lands, and public involvement. Local governments must make land use decisions that are consistent with these state requirements, and Rogue Advocates pays close attention to whether proposals align with that framework.

We track city and county land use proposals that may affect livability and sustainability. This can include zone changes, comprehensive plan updates, large subdivisions, urban growth boundary actions, major infrastructure decisions, and projects that could significantly change traffic patterns, water resources, or resource lands.

Our monitoring focuses on proposals that are likely to: reduce farmland, forestland, or open space; increase vehicle miles traveled, congestion, or emissions; reduce safe options for walking, biking, or transit; negatively impact water quality or water quantity; harm habitat for sensitive or critical species. We also look at whether the process includes meaningful public involvement and whether decisions align with Oregon planning goals.

Our primary focus is Jackson and Josephine counties, including city and county decision-making processes in the Rogue Valley. If you are outside this area, you can still reach out. We may be able to point you to relevant resources or partner organizations.

We monitor public notices, staff reports, meeting agendas, planning commission packets, hearings, and related documents published by cities and counties. We also rely on tips from community members. If you see something that concerns you, submitting it helps us spot issues earlier.

We aim to match the response to the issue. Depending on the proposal, action may include: sharing clear summaries so the community understands what’s being proposed; submitting written comments grounded in adopted plans and Oregon requirements; speaking at hearings or helping others participate effectively; meeting with decision-makers or staff to clarify concerns and alternatives; partnering with other groups when interests align. We focus on constructive, fact-based engagement.

No. We support smart, responsible development, especially when it strengthens existing communities, supports housing options, and reduces sprawl pressure on farmland and forests. Our concern is not “growth vs. no growth,” but whether proposals improve livability, protect resources, and follow Oregon’s planning framework.

We do not provide individualized legal advice and we are not your attorney. We can share general information about public processes, how to read land use documents, and how to participate effectively. For legal interpretation or representation, you should consult a qualified attorney.

Most cities and counties provide instructions with meeting agendas or hearing notices. In general: read the staff report and decision criteria if available; focus your comments on specific impacts and adopted standards; be concise and respectful; submit written comments before the deadline when possible; show up early (in-person) or log in early (virtual).

Use our contact form or email and include as much as you can: a link to the proposal, agenda, or public notice; the city or county jurisdiction; any deadlines you know (comment period end date, hearing date); a brief description of what concerns you (traffic, water, farmland, safety, habitat, etc.); any documents, screenshots, or parcel/map references you have. Clear links and deadlines help us respond quickly.

Volunteer needs vary over time, but common roles include monitoring agendas and public notices, summarizing staff reports and hearing packets, researching planning standards, helping with outreach, events, and communications, and assisting with mapping or data organization. Reach out with your skills and availability!

You can join our email updates and follow our announcements on our website and social channels. We share important hearings, major proposals, and opportunities for public involvement when timing matters.

Donations help support the core work of monitoring and public-interest advocacy. This can include research time, public records and document management, communications and outreach, meeting participation, and basic operational costs needed to stay organized and responsive.

Yes. If your donation platform includes a note field, you can indicate that your gift is in honor of someone. If you do not see that option, contact us and we will help ensure your donation is recorded the way you intend.

Rogue Advocates is organized as a nonprofit. Tax deductibility can depend on your personal situation. Keep your donation receipt for your records, and consult a tax professional if you have questions about how a donation applies to you.

Rogue Advocates is guided by a board and operates with a public-interest mission. We aim to follow good nonprofit governance practices, keep clear records, and communicate priorities and major activities to supporters and the community.

We prioritize proposals and policy changes that have the biggest potential impact on livability and sustainability and where public engagement can make a meaningful difference. Timing matters too. Some issues require quick attention because deadlines and schedules move fast.

We treat submissions respectfully and do not publish personal contact information on our website. However, land use advocacy can involve public processes, and in some situations information you provide could be referenced when understanding an issue. Tell us what you would like kept confidential.

Yes. We often collaborate with groups that share a commitment to responsible land use, resource protection, and livable communities. Partnerships can range from information-sharing to coordinated outreach, depending on the issue and the needs of the moment.

Use our contact page and select the option for media or partnerships, or include “Media Request” in your message. Share your deadline, your topic, and any specific questions so we can respond efficiently.

Thank you for letting us know. Please send the page URL, a brief description of what happened, and a screenshot if possible. We will review it and fix the issue as quickly as we can.

We aim to make our website readable and usable for everyone, including visitors using screen readers or keyboard navigation. If you encounter an accessibility barrier, contact us and we will work to improve it.