BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE -- Plans to build a home for unwed pregnant teen-agers at the Solid Rock Church may be getting new life.
This week, after continued opposition from a neighbor, the Union Road church withdrew its application for a zoning change to build the home.
But that does not signal retreat, said Ron Carter, Solid Rock financial administrator. The church plans to file a revised zoning change application by next week to build the $1 million Darlene Bishop Home for 30 girls.
"Giving up is the furthest thing from our mind," Mr. Carter said Wednesday. "The church wanted to be building by now, and have the girls move in by very early spring. But we're not discouraged. This is going to happen. We're very confident of that."
The plan was unveiled in the spring.
Peter Koenig, a Cincinnati attorney representing church neighbors Jay and Helen Frick, who own Traders World flea market and Cincinnati Zoysia Inc., said the application withdrawal is "appropriate and expected, and we recommended it over a month ago."
"We're in touch with representatives of the church," Mr. Koenig said. "They're trying to formulate a new plan, and we're eagerly awaiting it so we can review it."
In July, Solid Rock requested a zoning change on a one-acre plot next to the church to build the home. City officials feared that would be spot zoning and suggested the church seek to rezone all of its 60 acres to multifamily with a planned-unit development designation. That gives the city more control of property development.
There was no opposition until an Aug. 12 planning and zoning commission public hearing. Mr. Koenig and his clients objected, saying the change could negatively affect the Fricks' 120 highly developable acres.
The change would require the Fricks to have a 200-foot buffer between their property and church land, limiting their land use. The church withdrew the request and is working with Mr. Koenig to resolve the Fricks' concerns, Mr. Carter said. The church will likely seek to have the property zoned commercial, which would eliminate the setback requirement, he said.
"We are trying to take some of the concerns away from our neighbor who has objected," Mr. Carter said.
Mr. Koenig said "commercial zoning is certainly less objectionable." But, "I can't say if they will still object until I see the church proposal and talk to my clients."
Jay Stewart, Monroe's assistant city manager, said he and others are trying to resolve differences, "so that hopefully we don't run into more opposition two months down the road."
Mr. Carter said because church members believe the project is "God's will, it's worth all the battles."
