BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Hand-lettered placards are attached to the fence that fronts the home and property of Jeanne Gourley on Springdale Road. They ask the community to rally behind the cause.
The cause, as she and other neighbors see it, is represented by the serene, almost pastoral existence they've carved out for themselves along Springdale Road here, and what they see as a threat to it from a proposed development.
Their concern involves the 100 acres of property that belong to the Province of St. John the Baptist of the OrderofFriars Minor, and is a pocket of open land bordered on the east by Winton Woods and otherwise surrounded by single-family residences.
As proposed by Miller Valentine Group, Dayton-based developers, the plan calls for 600 living units, including cottages and assisted living facilities for senior citizens, around the renovated St. Francis seminary, which sits on the property. It would also include community and medical services for the seniors.
Rezoning the area to allow the multifamily development has been approved by the township zoning commission. The township's board of trustees will hear the issue Wednesday.
Neighbors object to the density of the development and its possible consequences, including traffic congestion, the blare of emergency vehicles, possible effect on property values, the din of construction and environmental factors.
And there is talk, should the trustees agree with the zoning commission, to bring the issue to voters on a referendum.
"You want to get along and be good neighbors," said Mrs. Gourley. "This is our community. Where's the commitment to protecting us? We've all invested in the community. If they can do it here, they can do it anywhere in the township."
To overrule the zoning commission's recommendation would take a unanimous vote by the three-member board of trustees.
The commission, said Mike Hinnenkamp, township administrator, thought that the proposed development made "good use of the property." He said it "may have less of an impact than single-family" homes, which is what the land is zoned for -- especially in light of conditions placed on the property that included setbacks, a buffer, open space and sign restrictions.
Mr. Hinnenkamp said the zoning commission also took into account neighbors who have spoken at the commission hearing in favor of the development.
"There's a key fact that needs to be pointed out," said Mr. Hinnenkamp. "They need to look at what the existing zone district permits as of today. And it permits all types of institutional and hospital-type uses. So they could get those kinds of things without any zone change and without any ability to do a specific plan."
Tim Walsh, who also lives on Springdale Road, said his concern is over the population density.
"There's going to be more traffic, we're going to lose the rural feel of this area," said Mr. Walsh.
Theysaid if development came they would much rather see single-family homes; even if it meant 200 homes, it would not be so dense or demand as much in the way of services.
"Owner-occupied homes (are owned) by people who have invested in the community, in their homes," said Mr. Walsh.
Bill Addington, who lives south of the proposed development and is a member of the Covered Bridge Civic Association, said the development has been the talk of association members.
"Our main concern is the additional traffic," said Mr. Addington. He said that even if the population there doesn't drive, there will be visitors, employees associated with an assisted-living arrangement and the heavy equipment associated with construction.
He said there is some sentiment among those he's spoken with about trying to get the issue on the ballot should the trustees not overturn the zoning commission decision.
"I live here and part of the reason is because this is like a rural setting," said Mr. Addington. "I think this would change the flavor of my neighborhood."
