BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
With Union Township's enormous residential and commercial growth in recent years, some township officials want the township to incorporate into the city of West Chester.
For that to happen, a petition to place the issue on the ballot must be signed by 20 percent of a township's registered voters. In Union Township, that would mean about 38,600 signatures.
If a majority of voters approves incorporation, the township becomes a city about 60 days after the election.
Attempts to incorporate Union Township have failed three times in the past 10 years.
Union Township voters rejected incorporation proposals in 1988, 1989 and 1993. The 1993 proposal - was rejected by a 375-vote difference, with more than 10,000 people voting.
Pro-incorporation leaders say incorporation would give West Chester the power to enact an earnings tax, something state law prohibits townships from doing. The proceeds would supplement property tax revenue and provide more money for massive public improvements in West Chester.
Other advantages, supporters say, include greater control over its destiny by offering protection from annexation, preservation of its tax base, the power to pass a wide range of ordinances and stronger zoning laws to restrict development.
"Union Township will never realize its full potential as long as it's a township," said township Administrator Dave Gully, a strong incorporation proponent.
Possible disadvantages include more government, a higher cost of providing services and fewer state and county funds for roads.
West Chester also may be less attractive to developers if it has an earnings tax and stronger zoning laws, some officials say.
