BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE -- An official for Answers In Genesis (AIG) claimed Thursday that comments by a Boone County Planning Commission member involving AIG's proposed national headquarters are "borderline discrimination." Michael Zovath, general manager for AIG, was referring to comments by member Linda Schaffer at a meeting Wednesday.
Potential growth
Mrs. Schaffer and fellow member Michael McKinney said they were concerned about growth that could result from AIG's proposed development. Mr. Zovath said Mrs. Schaffer contradicts herself because she favored a casino and the likely subsequent growth, but opposes AIG's proposal over concerns of possible growth.
The area is designated on the Future Land Use Map for commercial and industrial uses, Mr. Zovath said. The property AIG is buying is bounded on the north by Interstate 275 and by commercially zoned property on the west, he said.
"Apparently, (the planning commission) didn't care about the (growth near residents) at the time they were looking for the revenue coming in from a casino," Mr. Zovath said. "But now all of a sudden without a casino, a Christian ministry wants to do the same thing -- take advantage of that rezoning that they've already approved in the comprehensive plan."
Mrs. Schaffer said the general feeling years ago was that a casino would spur growth in western Boone County. But since the casino never located there and because residents have said in the Western Boone County Study they want to remain rural, she said AIG's plan would conflict with residents' wishes.
"I think the people need to be listened to," Mrs. Schaffer said, adding that residents have decided that they don't want water lines extended to their area.
AIG wants 25 acres rezoned to industrial for the project, which includes a creation museum of natural history. It is proposed for a site south of Interstate 275 near Ky. 20, and along the east side of Deck Lane.
Domino effect
"The fact of the matter is most of that interchange right now is already zoned commercial and industrial. Rezoning ours would not start a domino effect; it in essence ends the domino effect. This fear of a domino effect is completely illogical and it goes against the facts of the matter."
On Wednesday, the planning commission voted to send the project back to the zone-change committee to work out differences. The committee meets with AIG Sept. 3.
May go to vote
The project is likely to be voted on at the planning commission's Sept. 16 meeting. If the planning commission approves the project, then it goes to the Boone Fiscal Court for a vote.
"We strongly believe our proposal should have been accepted "as is' by the commission," said Ken Ham, executive director of the 4 1/2-year-old ministry. The zone-change committee voted in favor of the project shortly before Wednesday'splanning commission meeting.
The $5 million to $8 million project will be built entirely on donations, Mr. Zovath said. In 1996, the fiscal court rejected a request by Answers in Genesis to build a creationist museum near Union.
